Jurgen Klopp has revealed Darwin Nunez has been hampered by a bout of homesickness during his early days at Liverpool.
But the Reds boss believes his striker is starting to adjust to life in the Premier League after his third goal in as many starts was enough to secure a 1-0 win against West Ham on Wednesday night.
Nunez headed home from Kostas Tsimikas's cross for his first goal at Anfield since his £64m switch from Benfica back in the summer but it's been a tough few months at times on Merseyside for a Uruguayan international who only turned 23 in June.
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After a red card on his full debut in August against Crystal Palace, Nunez returned from a three-match suspension to an injury-hit team who were struggling for confidence, but having registered his fifth goal in all competitions as a Liverpool player in the victory over the Hammers, Klopp is expecting his big-money signing to truly take flight in the coming weeks and months.
"He’s young, he’s really young and has felt a little bit homesick, worrying and all these sorts of things so we have to make early changes, it’s fine we can do that," Klopp said.
"Of course [the goal] is important. He’s scored a couple of times in the last few games so he’s obviously arrived 100%, now with numbers. It’s fine.
"I expect him to put them in the back of the net. It’s just like he is an exceptional talent, we can see that, the runs, the physicality, the speed, the finishing skills are exceptional, he has a good technique but doesn’t use them all the time.
"Sometimes he’s in a rush so the first contact goes a little bit [away] but as with everything there, we’re really excited but most of the time when you’re young you have time to develop, we’re working on it."
Klopp added: "[It means] A lot, but we must be careful with the boys, the goal is exceptional, the other chances he had were exceptional. This is a great cross between the two defenders, I’m 100% sure someone will say (West Ham's) Thilo Kehrer has to do better but it’s really difficult.
"Mistakes happen before anybody should score a goal but again, in the air it’s a real battle. Anyone can see with the other chances, the volley with the left foot."
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