Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp shuts down Darwin Nunez exit speculation

Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp has shut down speculation linking Darwin Nunez with a move away from the club.

The striker has scored 18 goals in all competitions this season but has come under fire of late for his inconsistent performances in front of goal, coinciding with the Reds’ Premier League title hopes all but ending.

Nunez, 24, has four years remaining on his Anfield contract but the £64million signing been linked with a shock move to Barcelona.

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Speculation only intensified when the Uruguayan removed all photos relating to Liverpool from his Instagram page.

But his manager has acted quick to deny the rumours while defending the striker’s record in front of goal this term.

“There is no speculation,” the German said ahead of his penultimate game in charge of Liverpool against Aston Villa on Monday.

“That must be external because I don’t know about it. I’m not involved in that anymore, it’s just the situation we’re in.

“He was definitely not happy missing that chance. He’s unlucky in so many situations where he does everything right and the ball doesn’t go in.

“That’s really tough for a young man. He knows about the expectations, and he has his big expectations on himself but there is no alternative but going through it.

“18 goals is not bad numbers – it’s just about his quality and the expectations people have. And because of our situation as a team where we had chances and didn’t score.

“Nobody likes it but it’s part of a career. That’s it.”

Jurgen Klopp with a big defence of Darwin Nunez 🤝 pic.twitter.com/T96UzC9nMB

— BBC Sport (@BBCSport) May 10, 2024

‘We still have a chance’

A dip in form late in the season has all but ended Liverpool’s hopes of winning the title in Klopp’s farewell season, with the Reds five points behind Arsenal and four adrift of Manchester City with two games to play.

But while the legendary German admitted the Merseysiders’ hopes are slim, he won’t rule out their chances until it is mathematically impossible.

On their title chances, he said: “It’s not now No1 every morning on the priority list. Tell the boys by the way we still have a chance. We can see the table, we can all read the situation.

“Do we expect them to lose three games? [Manchester] City have to lose three games – difficult to see that.

“But you never know. Arsenal have to lose two games – difficult. Both play before, if they both lose let’s talk about it.

“We have the chance to go above 80 points again. Like everything in life you should never take things like this for granted.”