Klopp told exactly how Darwin Nunez will fit in at Liverpool by former coach

With Sadio Mane reportedly pushing for an exit from Liverpool, Jurgen Klopp has already turned his attention to replacing the former Southampton star with Benfica’s Darwin Nunez

Liverpool have reportedly tabled a bid for Benfica’s sought after star Darwin Nunez, and Jurgen Klopp has been told it is the right decision to pursue the striker.

Sadio Mane is expected to leave the Reds this summer, with Bayern Munich his likeliest destination, and questions have been raised as to who will replace the Senegal international at Anfield. Luis Diaz arrived from Porto in flying form in January, but Klopp has since shown he would like another addition in the final third.

Fabrizio Romano reports that the club have officially bid for £68million for Nunez, and that fee could rise to as high as £85m in the future. That figure is said to be in the region of what Benfica would like for the Uruguay international, though Manchester United and other top European sides could be tempted to submit an offer too.

If the Liga Portugal side decides to accept Liverpool ’s opening bid then expectations will be very high for the 22-year-old in Merseyside. But Nunez’s former coach Jose Gomes – who worked with him at Almeria – has said that the forward will take to life with the Reds like ‘a fish to water’.

He told Record: “(He is) Physically very powerful and with tremendous potential. He is an athlete of 1.90 metres and with tremendous speed. The speed he has allows the team where he plays to reach the opposing goal very easily. Not only for the coach himself, who is a motivator and an enthusiast but also for the style of play he advocates.

“Klopp likes to play looking for spaces in the back of the opposing defensive lines, which means that we can say that Darwin will feel like a fish in water, because speed and quick attack are characteristics that he favours.”

Nunez scored 26 goals and assisted four in 28 league appearances for Benfica last season, getting on the scoresheet on six occasions in the Champions League as well. There is a growing number of players moving to the Premier League from Portugal now, and Liverpool aren’t exempt from that pattern.

Diogo Jota, who started his career with Pacos de Ferreira, was recently quizzed about the potential acquisition of Nunez. But the former Wolves star was reluctant to go into great detail about his new potential teammate, stressing the importance of Portugal’s upcoming games instead.

Asked about Liverpool potentially signing Liverpool, he told Mais Futebol: “I don’t know, I’m focused on the national team. The market will move, I have no idea what the signings could be. I had the opportunity to play against him and he’s a good player, but I can’t say anything else at the moment.”

It remains to be seen if the Reds are able to sign Nunez, and whether Bundesliga giants Bayern not paying the required fee for Mane – thought to be in the region of £35m – will halt proceedings or if they will press on regardless of that transfer. Attention is likely to then turn to Mohamed Salah extending his contract at the club.