Jurgen Klopp was keen to get his message across from the moment a deal for Darwin Nunez was confirmed.
Unveiled as a new signing a year ago today, the Uruguayan striker arrived at Anfield on the back of an impressive 34-goal season - two of which were scored against Liverpool. On target for Benfica in both legs of their Champions League quarter-final tie with the Reds, Nunez was a standout performer for the Portuguese club as they bowed out of Europe's elite competition 6-4 on aggregate.
Two months later, and the 23-year-old was a Liverpool player. Clearly leaving a lasting impression on Klopp, the Reds acted by striking an agreement worth a potential £85.4million. Paying an upfront fee of £64.1m, Liverpool could be liable for a further £21.3m should all of the add-ons attached to this transfer be met.
Outlining his expectations for the forward after this move was made official, the Reds' boss stressed his side had just recruited a player for the future. “It’s important we all recognise we are getting a ‘work in progress’ with Darwin," conceded Klopp. "He recognises that himself, for sure. I love how much focus and humility he has. We have wonderful attacking options already and he becomes part of that now. So there is no pressure on him at all. He signs for a very long time and we intend to nurture his talent and see it grow.
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“Darwin is a wonderful player; already really good but so much potential to get even better. That’s why it’s so exciting, to be honest. His age, his desire, his hunger to be even better than he currently is. His belief in our project and what we are looking to do as a club.
"He has all the pieces we look for. He can set a tempo, he brings energy, he can threaten space from central and wide areas. He is aggressive and dynamic with his movement. He plays without fear, he’s powerful. I know he will excite our supporters."
Getting fans off their feet was a feat quickly achieved by Nunez, who announced himself in England courtesy of a Community Shield debut to remember against Manchester City. Deployed from the bench in the 59th minute of proceedings, the Reds' summer recruit soon after won a penalty, converted by Mohamed Salah, before getting on the scoresheet himself to wrap up a 3-1 victory over Pep Guardiola's team.
At the opposite end of the pitch, it proved to be a tough afternoon for Erling Haaland after struggling to impose himself before blazing a golden opportunity into the stands. Billed as the Haaland vs Nunez battle before a ball had even been kicked, it was the latter who sent out an early statement of intent to the rest of the country. "It was clear that he will get better with time," said Klopp after the full-time whistle at the King Power Stadium. While there have been moments to saviour involving the Artigas-born attacker, the jury is still out on his overall impact having completed his first full season at Anfield.
There were promising signs during an action-packed opening day draw with Fulham, during which the Reds' No.27 scored a brilliant backheeled goal before setting up Salah for a goal of his own, though a moment of madness in a 1-1 draw with Crystal Palace the following game threatened early progress being made. Serving a three-match suspension for headbutting Joachim Andersen was a clear indication Liverpool were still dealing with a player who could not be considered the finished article, both mentally and physically.
A run of seven goals in 10 appearances between October and November marked his most prolific streak in a Reds shirt but any sense of rhythm being developed was ended by the mid-season World Cup in Qatar, which couldn't have come at a worse time for the forward. Nunez signed off with a brace versus Southampton before the near six-week wait for the return of club football.
In the 24 games that followed the World Cup, the Uruguay international was on target on only six occasions and ended the campaign with a grand total of 15 goals and four assists to his name. Haaland, by contrast, brushed aside his Community Shield off-day to bag 52 goals and nine assists en route to City's treble. Pre-season comparisons with the Norwegian were somewhat unrealistic, though there is no escaping Nunez has left supporters wanting to see more following his period of adaption to the division.
After admitting there was 'no pressure at all' on Nunez last summer, Klopp is unlikely to be sharing the same stance ahead of the 2023/24 season. Liverpool face a fight to claw back lost ground on the reigning champions and will be reliant on their marksman to increase his output, or risk being left behind by the big-hitters of the Premier League for the second year in succession.
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