Liverpool manager, Jurgen Klopp, has given reasons why he left record-signing Darwin Nunez out of his starting XI to face Manchester City in the Community Shield game.
According to Klopp, Roberto Firmino’s experience against Premier League opposition counted in his favour.
Nunez, 23, is expected to line up as Liverpool’s No. 9 this season after a prolific campaign which saw him net 26 goals in 28 league games for Benfica.
But when asked whether Nunez was left out for tactical or fitness reasons, Klopp told ITV Sport: “Neither. The line-up we’ve chosen is used to each other and against an opponent like City, it makes 100 per cent sense that everybody knows what to do.
“I would say Darwin is in a really good way and will come on definitely but for the start we decided for it.”
While Nunez was left out of the starting XI by Klopp, City boss Pep Guardiola deployed Erling Haaland up front for the Sky Blues, giving the Norwegian the chance to showcase his talents against Premier League opposition.