Darwin Núñez has always been a threat for Liverpool but this term, his defensive game seems to have improved more than anything else, and Jürgen Klopp knows it.

Since the first day in which Darwin Núñez set foot on English shores, he has been a threatening weapon for Liverpool to use, and a nightmare for opposition defenses. The Uruguayan striker is rapid, intense and physical, and he is a magnet for chances, having attracted a countless number of opportunities to score over the past 12 months.

Núñez arrived for a potential transfer fee of $106m (£86m/€100m) with Jürgen Klopp willing to spend the large majority of his summer budget on the South American striker in 2022. He would change the way in which Liverpool attacked in the final third, but upon inspection of his output, he seemed to be worth the investment.

Indeed, Manchester United legend Gary Neville recently described him as a ‘handful’ in his podcast, also stating that he would choose to play against Núñez last if he had the choice of facing him, Diogo Jota or Cody Gakpo as a defender. Nobody would question how menacing the 24-year-old can be at the business end of the field, but there is a reason he didn’t start many games last season.

Overall, despite what he offered in an offensive sense, Núñez had to improve his presence on the defensive side of the game, as he contributed to Liverpool suddenly getting cut open on a regular basis last term, with Klopp’s aging midfield department — which was revitalized this summer — also to blame.

He was labeled a ‘racehorse’ by his boss after his team’s clash with Fulham earlier this year, and not in a good way. “Defending the center against Fulham is really important because João Palhinha is there and he is a connector, but [Núñez] was like a racehorse,” said Klopp. “Go, go, go for everybody. We opened up and that is why we struggled slightly. Apart from that, he played a really good game.”

His words offered an insight into what the Uruguayan international had to work on, with his competition for the number nine spot Gakpo praised for his defensive efforts. “He is a super footballer and a smart person,” said Klopp (via the Mirror). “I never for a second thought that he was only 24. He eats football, each information we give him is so natural for him to put it on the pitch.”

He later sent an indirect message to Núñez using the media, stating: “Counter-pressing is your ticket into this team.”

Darwin Núñez has improved on his defensive work for Liverpool (Image: Getty Images)

The chaotic striker is still getting to grips with life in England, but based on his early showings so far this term, it is reasonable to suggest that his defensive game is finally starting to catch up with what he offers in attack. He started against West Ham over the weekend and managed to find the net in an impressive 3-1 win.

After the contest, Klopp was eager to praise his work against the ball rather than focusing solely on his goal, stating (via Liverpool’s official website): “Massive steps in the last few weeks. He is a threat. You all saw the goal, it was pretty good. He was always available for us. The defensive work he puts in now, that’s probably the main difference. He always wanted, but it was less coordinated. Now that looks much better and we found a way how we can do it around him. Really good, absolutely.”

Throughout the course of the contest against the Hammers, Núñez showcased real industry without possession but, crucially, he closed down his opponents in a careful manner, making sure that he blocked passing lanes in the process while also curving his defensive runs to entice his opponents into making predictable passes in certain directions.

He looks stronger, smarter and more aligned with his teammates, while also being as dangerous as ever when Liverpool is attacking. It is still early days but so far this season, he is averaging a goal or an assist every 52 minutes, and he seems to have finally bought the ticket that Klopp referenced as he searched for a way into the team.

Whisper it, but after a full year of development, Liverpool’s secret weapon now looks ready to be unleashed.