Darwin Nunez makes feelings on Jurgen Klopp clear after Liverpool controversy

Darwin Nunez has made it clear he has no ill feelings towards Jurgen Klopp after the Liverpool manager’s emotional farewell.

Klopp left the club eight days ago after almost nine years in charge, having managed Nunez for both of his final two seasons after signing him for £64million rising to a potential £85m.

But there was controversy at Anfield as Liverpool beat Wolves 2-0 in Klopp’s final match. Afterwards, as Klopp was given a guard of honour on to the pitch to wave goodbye to the crowd, Nunez appeared not to clap.

The Uruguayan centre-forward applauded the other members of the Liverpool staff and squad who were given guards of honour including assistant manager Pepijn Lijnders, centre-back Joel Matip and midfielder Thiago Alcantara.

That led to speculation on social media that Nunez harbours a grudge towards Klopp. The 24-year-old ended his second season on Merseyside with 18 goals and 13 assists in 54 games but started just one of their final six Premier League games.

In that run, he amassed just 166 of a possible 540 minutes. But in conversation with Uruguayan outlet Polideportivo, Nunez said: “We were all a little shocked by Klopp’s departure, no one expected it.

“It is a shame that he is leaving. I personally would like him to leave in a big way, winning things, and it didn’t happen that way. It’s also a shame for the players. I wish him the best in the world.”

Liverpool legend John Aldridge believes the striker will simply be frustrated with his end to the season. He contributed only one goal and one assist in the last 11 Premier League matches of the campaign.

“I know Darwin Nunez was seen not clapping Jurgen, but he’ll just be annoyed because he’s not been good for the last two months. He’s not been good enough, end of story,” Aldridge wrote in his column for the Liverpool Echo.

“He’s probably tried too hard at times. His finishing has let him down, it’s been poor, but it’s a new start. He’s not had a great season. He’s done some good things but he can be a lot better.”

Last week, Nunez explained why he deleted all the Liverpool-related posts from his official Instagram account earlier this month.

“From the moment you start playing and until you retire, there will always be someone who will criticise you,” he explained. “Before, I did look them a lot and it affected me.

“Whoever says that those negative comments do not affect them is lying, those negative comments that are directed towards you will always affect you. But now I ignore those comments because they are of no use to me.

“I’m not looking at anything, not even the good stuff. If a game goes badly for me, I rely on my family. What happened in the game is already there, it’s already happened.”

Arne Slot will replace Klopp as Liverpool manager and will start his new role on June 1. The Dutchman will be tasked with developing Nunez into a ruthless goalscorer having overseen the development of Santiago Gimenez at Feyenoord.