Jurgen Klopp admits Liverpool must get used to playing alongside Darwin Nunez as he dismissed fears over the form of his summer signings.
Nunez had a frustrating evening as the Reds continued their pre-season programme with a 1-0 defeat at Red Bull Salzburg in Austria on Wednesday night.
The £64million man, who featured for the opening 45 minutes, struck the crossbar and had several shots blocked or saved, but was too often left isolated by a largely second-string starting line-up.
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And Klopp has urged his team to start playing to the strengths of the Uruguayan, who he admits would have made a difference in a second half dominated by a much stronger Liverpool side.
“We saw today we didn’t play well in the first half, but if there was a difficult situation it was Darwin and the support he gets,” said the Reds boss, whose team are in the middle of an intense week-long training camp.
“The majority of the players in the first half have to get used to what they do. Darwin was much often alone, everybody was involved in the build-up but too wide. He had his moments and nearly scored but he needs much more support around him and (for his team-mates) to keep other players busy so they don’t just focus on him.
“It would have been nice if we could see it again, Darwin in that situation for the last half-hour, with a ball in the box, ball in the box, ball in the box, it would have been interesting. If Darwin has been there in the box in the second half it could have helped as well.”
Fabio Carvalho, a summer arrival from Fulham, was targeted for some rough treatment by Salzburg during the opening stages but again posted an encouraging performance.
And Klopp said of the 19-year-old: “Fabio is a fantastic talent. He showed that in moments tonight but he can do much better.
“But why should we judge them now because, like the established players, they are tired. I’m constantly asked, but they are tired. They cannot be the best version of themselves.
“I am happy with our new signings, very happy.”
Kostas Tsimikas joined Alisson Becker on the sidelines after suffering a knock in training that will now be assessed ahead of Saturday’s Community Shield against Manchester City, with Kaide Gordon, who has recently returned from injury, also not involved.
Liverpool’s third recent signing, teenage right-back Calvin Ramsay, was again absent, and Klopp added: “We found a little injury (when he signed) so that’s why he hasn’t trained yet, we have to be careful with that.”
The Reds will spend the next few days back at their training camp before heading for the clash with City at Leicester City’s King Power Stadium, which is followed by a home friendly against Strasbourg on Sunday.
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