08 Jan 2024 11:40:52
Ed001 - did you enjoy the game yesterday? Watching the highlights back this morning, I have no idea how Arsenal managed to miss so many chances!

What are your views on what to do with Nunez? I love him to bits, but it is clear that his lack of finishing seems to be getting to him a bit? I noticed a couple of times in the game when he had a chance to shoot that he was doubting himself. Do you think we should stick with him in the starting line up or give him a few games out of the spotlight to get his confidence back?

Red Sandman.

{Ed001's Note - I did enjoy it, it was a good game. Arsenal were excellent and gave us a real test but we came through it. Cups are all about the result, so it is just good to be in the draw.

Nunez is clearly struggling for confidence but his play other than goalscoring is so good you have to stick with him. Firmino was similar in that regard. He didn't score anything like enough but brought so much more to the team that he had to be picked anyway. Nunez forced them back and gave us the space to get out when we finally started getting the ball to him. That is what changed the game. He may miss a lot, but you still don't want to give him an open goal as there is a good chance someone will knock in a rebound or he will pass to someone else to finish. The question for me is whether to stick with him in the centre or play him off the left. Though last night showed we have the ability to switch it about as needed mid-game anyway, so even that is not that important. He has to start though, he gives so much to the team.}

1.) 08 Jan 2024
08 Jan 2024 13:14:51
Very good point on Firmino ed mate.

I think for Nunez, playing on the left might give him a little less pressure? The lad is dying to score but he just can't get there right now, put him on the left, with his work rate he's always going to do well. I think all of them up top will be rotating whilst Salah is away, give him this time to build his confidence then put him back in the centre.

{Ed001's Note - I do like him on the left being able to cut in, but I also like him in the centre. I expect Klopp to understand what is best for the player and he can always shift him about if the game needs it anyway.}

2.) 08 Jan 2024
08 Jan 2024 13:36:36
I just think he’s gunna get about 3/ 4 in a game soon and kick on . But like you say ed1 he offers so much more than goals that he shouldn’t be solely judged on goals alone . I think him on the left diaz on the right and jota through the middle will be how we start against Fulham Wednesday . And you’ll see the 3 of them probably rotating all through the game causing murder .

{Ed001's Note - I do enjoy seeing them rotating around, there was a lot of that between Diaz and Jota last night and it was really good to see them working out between themselves.}

3.) 08 Jan 2024
08 Jan 2024 13:59:49
Agree that I prefer him in the centre, knowing he can switch out to the left or right when needed.

He was badly isolated in the first half while we struggled to break their first press and progress the ball into the final third.

Honestly I didn't have the FA cup as a priority but Klopp quite rightly chose to keep collecting the memories. This new squad is racking up the experiences and big moments at record speed.

4.) 08 Jan 2024
08 Jan 2024 14:01:23
Completely agree that Nunez must be part of the front three. He is just a constant threat and makes room for everyone else.

There's very few players you can just boot the ball up to. He will go after everything. Such a threat.

When he puts the scoring together. My god.

5.) 08 Jan 2024
08 Jan 2024 14:01:43
I'd play Nunez in the center simply because both Gakpo and Jota seem better on the left to me (not to mention we have Diaz), and go a little bit missing in the center sometimes.

Whilst you can always rely on Nunez to put in a shift.

6.) 08 Jan 2024
08 Jan 2024 14:19:57
How do you rate Arsenal as a team, Ed?
They’ve got some excellent players, they look well-drilled and rehearsed in many aspects of the game, but there seems to be things missing.
I’d be fuming if I was an Arsenal fan, regardless. Klopp was clearly thrilled to pieces post match yesterday, but I do not believe that was a match Liverpool were hellbent on winning. Despite that, Arsenal’s chances of a trophy this season are hanging by a thread yet again.

{Ed001's Note - I think Arsenal are being hindered by Arteta, they are better than they are showing because he doesn't get the most out of them. Saka looks out on his feet and desperately in need of a rest, on top of Arteta encouraging him to throw himself to the floor at every opportunity.}

7.) 08 Jan 2024
08 Jan 2024 14:20:41
People seem to have just accepted that Nunez is a poor finisher but I can tell you he certainly isn’t.

He seems to try a bit too hard which is something I remember saying about Suarez once upon a time, then something clicked and the floodgates opened. I fully expect the same to happen with Nunez.

Let’s not forget this is only his 4th season in top flight football, it’s been a meteoric rise but there is still loads of improvement to come.

8.) 08 Jan 2024
08 Jan 2024 14:48:41
Nunez hits everything so hard and true he almost needs to stop hitting it as well for the goals to flow . I remember few weeks back not sure what game it was but he put his laces through 1 and had it went in the net was bursting I’m sure of it . I think it’s mainly the outside talking about Nunez now I think klopp is more than happy with his effort and team play to not be getting caught up in a numbers game.

9.) 08 Jan 2024
08 Jan 2024 14:57:40
Any chance of a review Ed001 or you sticking to league games only?

{Ed001's Note - league games only mate, sorry.}

10.) 08 Jan 2024
08 Jan 2024 15:15:31
I think the scoring will come for Nunez. Not sure he ll become an expert finisher but I think he ll convert a much higher percentage and with the amount of chances he gets, it will make him a 30 goal plus striker.

11.) 08 Jan 2024
08 Jan 2024 15:46:10
No worries Ed001. Alright if you add a review of Arsenal under Arteta to the list? Would be interesting to hear what you think and how they compare to City and Liverpool.

Thanks.

{Ed001's Note - I have added that to my to do list for you mate.}

12.) 08 Jan 2024
08 Jan 2024 15:59:17
Cheers Ed001.

{Ed001's Note - very welcome mate.}

13.) 08 Jan 2024
08 Jan 2024 16:24:08
I like Nunez and the lad seems to love playing for the club.

But I could just imagine a 35 year old Nunez still at the club with fans saying any day now it’s going to click in front of goal and it’s like Suarez in his first 6 months ?.

14.) 08 Jan 2024
08 Jan 2024 16:26:50
Nice one, Ed01. As for Darwin, I think Klopp is doing with him what he did with Lewandowski at the start at Dortmund where he first off, turned him into an all round brilliant footballer while at the same time, a feared CF the world has ever seen. Klopp would be stupid to not start him on the left or CF even though I liked him on the left when shifted there in-game. He just needs to bag a couple in and his confidence will be up again.

Outside of that, the kid is a menace to society. He was our only outlet when we were under real pressure in the first half. The kid is so versatile and has so much ability, you cannot ignore him cos just ask Burnley. They did not believe he would bend that banger in first time and Bang, he did. Klopp an the coaches love him and so do I.

15.) 08 Jan 2024
08 Jan 2024 16:52:15
I really love Nunez and love the hardwork the lad puts in every game. As a fan you cannot ask for anything more really. But currently, he is way short of Prime Firmino at Liverpool. His ceiling is probably higher than Firmino, and I would love to see that happen.

When Nunez is facing a defender in the box, I'm yet to be convinced of his ability to outmaneuver the opponent and create significant chances — something I haven't observed him accomplish yet. While his passing and link-up play have improved significantly, often lacks the finesse we're accustomed to with Firmino. I'm not overly concerned about him missing chances; as long as he's creating opportunities, I'm confident the goals will come. However, for him to truly excel and fulfill his potential, enhancing his link-up play is crucial.

16.) 08 Jan 2024
08 Jan 2024 17:57:28
LFCDas comparing Firmino and Nunez is like comparing apples with oranges.

They are completely different players with completely different skill sets. Bobby came to us as a 10 and was never an out and out number 9. He played the false 9 because he was intelligent and had good ability on the ball to drop deep and pull people around.

Nunez is an out and out 9. He’s very much on the shoulder of the last defender which is why he is offside so often. He’s all power and pace and bullies defenders often creating chances that others would not be able to create.

Nunez is a monster, Bobby was an artist.

To be fair, Bobby was always criticised for not scoring enough even though that wasn’t really his role in the team. One thing I am sure of though, is if Nunez is with us as long as Bobby was he will score a lot more goals than Bobby did.

17.) 08 Jan 2024
08 Jan 2024 18:22:26
BP, more like apples to pineapples. One is an out and out CF with immense ability and versatility and oh, a record of having bagged 34 goals in 39 games (26 in the League) in one season where he was Player Of The Year and won Benfica a league title in the season before he signed for us.

The other is a brilliant no. 10 converted into a false 9 and my goodness, the best "false 9" I have ever seen as he was literally "Poetry in motion". Come on, do better LFC DAS.

18.) 08 Jan 2024
08 Jan 2024 18:25:02
"Honestly I didn't have the FA cup as a priority but Klopp quite rightly chose to keep collecting the memories. This new squad is racking up the experiences and big moments at record speed. "

This!

19.) 08 Jan 2024
08 Jan 2024 19:00:47
Nunez has been very unlucky IMO - he’s near the top of the league for shots taken which reflects his strikers instincts and ability to get into dangerous positions and pull the trigger, and he almost always makes clean contact, hits it hard, close or at the goal, yet it’s not dropping in and he’s been the victim of some incredible saves.

My own view is he has all the raw materials and it’ll click one day and he’ll be a top striker, all it needs is a bit more experience and confidence, but I do also wish someone would tell him to hit it low in the corners. He tends to hit it high a lot which looks spectacular, but I far prefer when strikers hit it low, it reduces the risk of blasting it over the bar or letting keepers make reaction saves with their hands.

20.) 08 Jan 2024
08 Jan 2024 19:10:28
Suarez first full season.11 goals. Next season.41.

When Nunez starts to bang them in he will be glorious. For now he has to play cos he makes things happen although I do like him on the left he gives torres vibes but ill trust in klopps expertise.

As for the media. they can suck eggs because when do they ever give any of ours the respect they are due. apparently reece James and walker and tripper are still better rb than trent.

21.) 08 Jan 2024
08 Jan 2024 19:49:56
@BeckersPecker: My knowledge of football is not great as yours. Please pardon my naivety for that. I really don't understand systems, or who is bought to do what.

I tend to compare players in 'similar positions' and how effective they are. But I agree it isn't the right thing to do.

I hope your prediction of "if Nunez is with us as long as Bobby was he will score a lot more goals than Bobby did" comes true. I really want it to happen, but his current goal scoring form has to significantly improve!

22.) 08 Jan 2024
08 Jan 2024 20:48:38
As Klopp said, the other team is playing too and there are moments in games we have to dig in and survive.

For Nunez, he may be lacking confidence in front of goal but I’m seeing no evidence whatsoever that that has impacted the rest of his game. Others you may see drop their heads and strop around but Nunez doesn’t stop. He is an absolute must in the team as we don’t have another striker like him. The other attackers can all adapt around him and adjust depending on matchups.

23.) 08 Jan 2024
08 Jan 2024 20:52:08
I just remember seeing gomez try and shot from range thinking of ed001 last review ?.

24.) 09 Jan 2024
09 Jan 2024 15:44:14
I fully expect Nunes to succeed at Liverpool, and if he was reading this I would offer him this advice. If you want to score great goals, always try and bend them round the keeper into the top corner. If you want to be a great goal scorer "hard and low is the way to go"
I want him to be a great goal scorer.

25.) 10 Jan 2024
09 Jan 2024 16:11:00
I’d play him on the left and tell him just to enjoy himself.

I honestly don’t think he is a natural taker of chances and I don’t think you can be taught that, but it might help his self-confidence if the centre forward (and expected primary goal scorer) tag were taken away from him for a while.