Darwin Nunez has made quite the impact since his record-breaking £85million move to Liverpool from Benfica earlier this summer.
The 22-year-old came off the bench in the Community Shield and played an influential role as the Reds beat Manchester City 3-1, winning a penalty and scoring the third goal. Nunez received plenty of criticism for his performances in pre-season, with some doubting about whether the Uruguayan could adapt to English football.
But he made the perfect start to life in the Premier League as well, despite starting as a substitute in their opening day trip to newly-promoted Fulham. Nunez, however, grabbed a goal and an assist when introduced on the hour mark as Liverpool came from behind twice to draw 2-2 at Craven Cottage.
Jurgen Klopp opted to start with Roberto Firmino for the second successive game against Fulham, but he failed to impress and struggled throughout. This could make Nunez a certainty to start in their clash with Crystal Palace on Monday night, but Klopp may also stick with the same formula given his stellar impact from the bench.
Luis Diaz started on the left with Firmino through the middle and Mohamed Salah on the right side. Nunez replaced Firmino in both matches with Diogo Jota still nursing an injury that could keep him out until October.
Liverpool were much improved after Nunez's arrival on to the pitch against Fulham, with the Reds looking a lot sharper and more dynamic in attack. His goal came from some intelligent movement in the box, with Salah pulling the ball back for Nunez to expertly turn a shot into the back of the net.
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After dropping points, Liverpool will be keen to bounce back and starting Nunez could be the perfect solution after Firmino struggled. Nunez is direct, quick and could excite the Reds fans in their first home match of the season. It may be the boost the Reds need after losing Sadio Mane in the summer.
The Senegal international joined Bayern Munich after six years at the Reds and it has left a huge hole to fill with Mane so successful over the course of his career at Anfield. Liverpool may have to tweak their style to suit Nunez, however, with the latter more of a targetman compared to Mane and Firmino.
This would suit Trent Alexander-Arnold and Andrew Robertson, who love to cross the ball into the box and his 6"4 frame could be handy to get on the end of those deliveries. Time will tell whether Klopp choses to include Nunez from the start but it would make sense following the impact he has had so far. Klopp could stick with Firmino, though, with Nunez so impactful from the bench at Fulham.
