Liverpool’s Darwin Nunez (R) and Virgil van Dijk celebrate after the team’s victory during the Premier League match between Manchester United FC and Liverpool FC at Old Trafford on September 1, 2024 in Manchester, England. (Photo by Michael Regan/Getty Images)
Virgil van Dijk has praised Darwin Núñez for his goal in Liverpool’s win over Bournemouth on Saturday, but says the forward must overcome his “rival” Diogo Jota to succeed at the club.
Núñez has endured a frustrating start to the 2024/25 campaign, restricted to just 84 minutes in four substitute appearances and without a goal or assist before Saturday.
But the Uruguay international was given the nod at Anfield against Bournemouth as Jota was rested as an unused substitute.
Núñez rewarded Arne Slot for giving him the chance by emphatically scoring Liverpool’s third in a 3-0 win over the Cherries, while also working hard for the team with four tackles, two recoveries and one disposal.
This Darwin Nunez effort ??? pic.twitter.com/stu5K59D2J
— Premier League (@premierleague) September 21, 2024
Núñez must overcome Liverpool ‘rival’ Jota, says Van Dijk
Liverpool captain Van Dijk praised Nunez after the game, but stressed the 25-year-old “has to keep working” to overtake Jota in Slot’s starting eleven.
“Obviously happy for him,” Van Dijk said (via Official Liverpool website). “He has to keep working, keep being important when he has the opportunity.
“Obviously, he has a very good ‘opponent’ or ‘rival’ or whatever you want to call it in Diogo Jota with him, so they have to challenge and push each other. Only then can we succeed.
“The way he responded today after his first start of the season is obviously what we want to see. He has to keep working, like the rest of the team.”
Nunez is hoping for another start as Liverpool host West Ham United in the EFL Cup on Wednesday evening.
Top photo by Michael Regan/Getty Images
