STRIKER MUST LEARN TO CONTROL HIMSELF
DARWIN NUNEZ has to learn to “control himself” after a red card on his Anfield debut, says his skipper.
Virgil van Dijk said Liverpool’s £85million striker is facing a steep learning curve in the Premier League following his sending-off for a butt on Crystal Palace defender Joachim Andersen, but that his team-mates would rally round the Uruguayan.
Van Dijk said: “He has to control himself. Obviously he was disappointed and also probably with himself.
“That’s a separate thing, he has to manage himself, he has to be knowing that these things can happen, especially in the Premier League.”
Nunez insists he will learn after describing his reaction as an “ugly attitude”.
On Twitter the striker wrote: “I am aware of the ugly attitude I had. I’m here to learn from my mistakes and it won’t happen again.”
He also posted a picture of him walking head down past manager Jurgen Klopp, who refused to look at him as he left the field and shouted: “get off” when he lingered.
But Van Dijk suggested there would be sympathy and support for the Anfield record signing.
Klopp claimed after the 1-1 draw that Nunez was provoked by Andersen, with the two tussling throughout the contest.
The Anfield boss said: “OK, provocation and definitely the wrong reaction.”
Van Dijk added: “It’s a learning curve and we will always back him. He’s got the backing from us and he knows it should not happen again. Hopefully, it will be that way.”
Nunez’s moment of madness meant Liverpool were up against it as they already trailed to a breakaway goal in the first half. But they fought back with a brilliant Luis Diaz equaliser and could easily have won, with Mo Salah twice going close.
It still meant dropped points in the two opening games, but Van Dijk is not panicking.
He said: “With 10 men we played outstandingly and we’re disappointed to draw.
“We had injuries, but I don’t want to blame different things.
“We won the Community Shield and everyone was saying one thing. Now we have drawn twice and people will write us off.
“We’ve played two games and there’s a long way to go so anything can happen.
“We don’t read what they say about us because nobody knows what’s really going on.”