So, Darwin Nunez is up and running with his Liverpool career and has suddenly gone from zero to hero with his four goals against RB Leipzig.
It was ludicrous to think that Nunez was being doubted after playing just a few minutes against Manchester United and Crystal Palace on the tour to Asia.
He got a taste of what any big-money signing faces in football these days if they’re not scoring in every game – but it’s ridiculous.
Nunez has come to Liverpool off the back of a fantastic campaign at Benfica, and Jurgen Klopp has bought him for the next few years, not for one pre-season.
I’d seen that Klopp was perfectly happy with the way the lad has slotted in to the club and his performances in training. And if Klopp’s pleased that’s all that matters.
Do you think Darwin Nunez will be a success at Liverpool? Let us know in the comments below!
"We always think that if you pay a lot of money then the players feel no pressure or whatever," Klopp told reporters after Thursday's game. "They are all completely normal human beings and the first touch is not perfect then all of a sudden [they're criticised].
"This generation of players read social media, which is really not smart, but they do. All of a sudden you get in a rush and these kinds of things.
"That’s the best way obviously to stop all these discussions. He’s a different striker to what we have or what we had, but he’s a really good one."
Of course, £85million is a lot to pay and Nunez will be compared to what Sadio Mane did at Anfield – even though they’re different players with different qualities.
Mane will be a big miss and I’m not kidding myself about that. And it’s a gamble whenever you spend big money on replacements. But Nunez has the sort of stats to suggest he’s got the ability and mentality to fit in and thrive at Liverpool.
The club did extensive homework on him, as they do with all their signings, so I’m certain he’ll play a big part when he fully settles in. And let’s not forget either that he’s working with one of the greatest managers around.
Klopp has got a history of making players better. He did it with Mane and with a host of players when he was in charge at Borussia Dortmund. And I’ve got no doubt at all that he’ll improve Nunez.
