- 7 hours ago
Darwin Nunez Liverpool xG not as good as Klopp claims
FT Desk
- 28 Oct 2022 20:02 BST
- 4 min read
Darwin Nunez has hit six goals in 13 games in all competitions for Liverpool since his €100 million transfer from Ajax, but his xG isn't as good as manager Jurgen Klopp claims.
Darwin hit the ground running at Liverpool, scoring in the Community Shield victory over Manchester City before opening his Premier League account against Fulham on the opening day.
But his temperament was called into question when he was sent off in his third game for a headbutt on Crystal Palace centre-back Joachim Andersen, and memes of his misses exploded on social media at the same time.
The Uruguayan has settled back into his groove, though, and scored a further four goals as well as adding an assist to take his goal-involvement to one every 91 minutes he has played.
READ: Darwin Nunez is the world's most entertaining footballer
Jürgen Klopp on Darwin Nunez: "His numbers are incredible, to be honest. I'm pretty sure his xG is high from the chances he missed but he scored as well."
Premier League xG: 3.1
Premier League Goals: 3
Champions League xG: 2.3
Champions League Goals: 2 pic.twitter.com/pH5IEGEUlA— Football Transfers (@Transfersdotcom) October 28, 2022
Reds boss Klopp is excited about what the 23-year-old can achieve in the game.
"For all these things, his numbers are incredible," Klopp said ahead of Saturday's clash with Leeds having outlined the red card and the fact his striker was adapting to a new culture without speaking a word of English.
"I am pretty sure his xGs are high. He had a few chances that he missed but he has scored as well and he is involved in a lot of finishing moments, a lot of things. The steps he is making are really big and that means, automatically, that he settled in more and more. He had a great month."
READ: Klopp admits Nunez would've scored more goals if he was playing for Man City
🗣 "Nobody knows, he doesn't know. It's so exciting."
Jurgen Klopp outlines that the potential in which Darwin Nunez can reach is unknown pic.twitter.com/fzPopE7ir0— Football Daily (@footballdaily) October 28, 2022
Is Klopp right?
Darwin might have had a good month, but it is not true that he has scored fewer goals than might be expected.
His xG in the Pemier League has been 3.1 so far. He has three goals in England's top flight. Hi xG in the Champions League is marginally higher at 2.3 - Darwin has found the target against Rangers and Ajax.
Darwin has turned a corner, but he is simply not outperforming his xG, making Klopp's claim little more than hyperbole.
