Revealed: How Zoom call with ex-Leeds boss Marcelo Bielsa helped £64m Liverpool striker Darwin Nunez to find a spark

The Uruguay international endured a testing debut campaign at Anfield in 2022-23 on the back of his £64 million ($81m) transfer from Benfica. Nunez did register 15 goals for the Reds in all competitions, but more was expected of him after drawing comparisons with prolific Manchester City frontman Erling Haaland.

Nunez has found himself on the bench at the start of the 2023-24 campaign, but made a decisive contribution last time out against Newcastle when bagging a dramatic late brace. He has told Sport 890 of how Bielsa is aiding his efforts to become a more complete forward: “I had a chat with Bielsa over Zoom. Bielsa showed me some of my games things and corrected some things that seem positive to improve. He tells me to run behind the second centre-back so they lose my position. It was a very good talk. He seemed like a good guy to me and a serious guy. I hope to meet him next week and do my best for the team.”

Nunez will be hoping that his efforts at St James’ Park force him back into Jurgen Klopp’s plans when another starting XI is pieced together, with the 24-year-old less than impressed at having to spend time among the substitutes. He added on his current role: “The minutes I get to play I always try to give my best. When it’s my turn to be on the bench, I go in angry in a good way because I always want to prove myself.”

Liverpool, who remain unbeaten through three games in the 2023-24 Premier League campaign, will be back in action on Sunday when playing host to Aston Villa – with Klopp having to make changes to his side for that fixture after seeing club captain Virgil van Dijk sent off against Newcastle.