Virgil van Dijk believes that maintaining a level head will be crucial for Darwin Nunez as he aims to take flight at Liverpool following the striker’s first goal of the season in Saturday’s 3-0 victory over Bournemouth.
The captain acknowledges that Nunez’s hefty price tag will always bring added pressure to perform, especially after the big-money forward marked his first start of the campaign with a stunning strike.
Darwin Nunez was selected ahead of Diogo Jota by head coach Arne Slot, and he capitalized on his opportunity by adding to Luis Diaz’s quick-fire brace with a superb left-footed shot that arched past Bournemouth goalkeeper Kepa Arrizabalaga.
The Uruguayan international has had to bide his time for his first significant chance this season.
However, he seized it with a determined performance as Slot’s side briefly rose to the top of the Premier League with their fourth win of the campaign.
Van Dijk expressed his admiration for Nunez’s ability to lead the line, acknowledging why the 25-year-old remains a fan favourite at Anfield.
However, the centre-back has also challenged Darwin Nunez to maintain this level of performance.
He also emphasized that the initial £64 million fee paid to Benfica over two years ago sets high expectations for consistent contributions.
“If you want to be successful in different competitions we need a very good squad and now it’s time when we are rotating they have to perform and today showed; Darwin scored a fantastic goal,” Van Dijk said.
“You see the boys who came in after being rested in midweek produced again and that’s what we need, it’s a sign of a very good football team.
“It’s the start of the season so there’s a lot to happen but it’s a good sign.
“Any striker, on the bench or who has a lack of confidence, works their socks off to be successful.
“He got a chance to be the starting striker today and he worked very hard for that goal.
“He scored a very good goal but he worked hard defensively when we didn’t have the ball and those are the things that we need from the whole team, whether you start or coming in.
“For him, coming into a club like Liverpool with the price tag there is always going to be pressure to produce week in, week out and he is trying to do that but it is not always that easy.
“Now it is time for him to stay calm and I think, in my opinion, he has been doing that much better and the manager is busy with him a lot and us as players and we just have to keep him close to us and keep going.
“He started but he might not start the next game and we want him to be consistent and keep doing it and doing it when he comes on and when he starts.
“That’s the main thing, don’t get dragged into the positivity and then the low of the negativity or you will be dizzy at a certain point.”
Van Dijk added: “The fans love him but I think anyone here would want us to be successful, that’s absolutely normal.
“The fans love him for his work-rate, his directness and what he brings to the table and he got a reward for the hard work he did with a good goal but we want him to be consistent and keep doing it and I am confident he will be fine.
“Consistency is the key. I think he shouldn’t get carried away – but he won’t – and now is the time for him to recover and focus on the next opportunity he gets.
“That’s football. We will help him and the manager will help him and the club and fans as well.”
On Luis Diaz, who has scored five goals in five league games, Van Dijk said: “I think confidence helps, rhythm helps.
“Obviously the quality is there, you saw it last season as well.
“In certain games some moments when it doesn’t go in it will be spoken about more but he showed last year he is a very good and important player for us and has had a good start to the season.
“I was not worried at all but him scoring goals helps everyone and pushes everyone as well, so that’s the good thing.”
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