Jurgen Klopp has heaped praise on Darwin Nuñez and Mohamed Salah as the pair showed off their blossoming partnership in Liverpool’s win over Aston Villa.
The reds were in fine form against Unai Emery’s Aston Villa on Sunday, winning the game comfortably 3-0 to go into the international break unbeaten, third in the league and sat on 10 points after four matches.
There were plenty of fine displays on show at Anfield. Alexis Mac Allister pulled the strings form the base of midfield and Dominik Szoboszlai scored his first goal for the club with an exceptional guided finish from the edge of the box.
However, after the game, Klopp name dropped two of Liverpool’s forwards – Nuñez and Salah – as standouts in the match because of their well-formed partnership.
The Liverpool boss said, via Liverpoolfc.com: “That was pretty much from the start like this, the two sprinters, they want to know where the other one is. I’m pretty sure Mo told Darwin before the game as well, if a ball comes high, please deflect it, I’m on my bike.
“Yeah, today the partnership was really good. I liked the line-up today, to be honest. It’s a bit of a problem in my job that we make line-ups before we know if it will work out – but it worked out pretty well. And yeah, really happy for Darwin as well, the performance was exceptional.”
Not only did Nuñez and Salah combine for the final goal which the Egyptian scored to put the game to bed, but the second goal – which was ultimately a Matty Cash own goal – was also created from the duo’s brilliance.
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A ball from Trent Alexander-Arnold found Salah in space on the right wing, who slotted it inside for Nuñez, only for the Uruguayan to strike the post before Cash bundled the ball into his own net from the rebound.
With Liverpool’s forwards were on fire, a phenomenal first goal for Szoboszlai and a first clean sheet of the season, it was almost a perfect day for Klopp – besides acting captain Alexander-Arnold’s injury scare.
Klopp added: “Besides Trent’s hamstring, it was a perfect afternoon. Atmosphere. Weather, my God. Early, [it’s] still quarter to five. I cannot imagine a better Sunday.”
Whether Alexander-Arnold will now face some time on the sidelines remains to be seen, with the full-back due to undergo a scan to determine the extent of the injury.
However, after an exceptional performance against Aston Villa, fans will be hoping the international break is enough time for the Englishman to recover in time for an away trip to Wolves on 16 September.
