"It’s a gamble": Legend says new signing is a risk but backs Jurgen Klopp to make him a success

Liverpool's Darwin Nunez has silenced his pre-season doubters after scoring four goals in a single half against RB Leipzig earlier this week.

Having fluffed his lines against Manchester United and failed to impress against Crystal Palace, his goals in Germany helped to change the narrative.

Nunez, 23, was heavily criticised by rivals fans for being 'a flop' after 60 minutes or pre-season football.

The ex-Benfica man showed his ability against Leipzig and now former Liverpool legend Robbie Fowler has backed him to thrive under Jurgen Klopp.

From one striker to another

Fowler, who is Liverpool's leading scorer in the PL era, spoke on his column in the Daily Mirror about how he believes Nunez should thrive at Liverpool.

"Nunez has come to Liverpool off the back of a fantastic campaign at Benfica, and Jurgen Klopp has bought him for the next few years, not for one pre-season," Fowler claimed.

"And it’s a gamble whenever you spend big money on replacements. But Nunez has the sort of stats to suggest he’s got the ability and mentality to fit in and thrive at Liverpool.

The club did extensive homework on him, as they do with all their signings, so I’m certain he’ll play a big part when he fully settles in."

"And let’s not forget either that he’s working with one of the greatest managers around."

Klopp has got a history of making players better. He did it with Mane and with a host of players when he was in charge at Borussia Dortmund. And I’ve got no doubt at all that he’ll improve Nunez.

Klopp's reaction to Nunez criticism

Klopp was also quick to rush to his defence and lauded the social media era which has intensified the pressure that players come under.

"We always think that if you pay a lot of money then the players feel no pressure or whatever," Klopp told reporters after Thursday's game. "They are all completely normal human beings and the first touch is not perfect then all of a sudden [they're criticised].

"This generation of players read social media, which is really not smart, but they do. All of a sudden you get in a rush and these kinds of things.

"That’s the best way obviously to stop all these discussions. He’s a different striker to what we have or what we had, but he’s a really good one."