Virgil Van Dijk was pleased with Darwin Núñez's performance in the Community Shield 2022 against Manchester City. The centre-back also said the Uruguayan shouldn't care about the criticism and just work and deliver as he did in his official debut.
Liverpool won the Community Shield with a 3-1 victory over Pep Guardiola's City. Darwin Nunez, much criticised since his signing, was key to the victory.
Virgil van Dijk, as did Klopp at the press conference, encouraged the former Benfica man to turn a deaf ear to criticism. "We all help him and make sure he is comfortable. He just has to work and not think about what people say because everyone has something to say.... Head down, work, score goals and be important for the club, that's all," he summed up.
"I don't speak Spanish, so I haven't said anything to Darwin so far, but there are colleagues who do help him. I don't see that criticism makes him uncomfortable, but that's how it is. Everyone has something to say and there are many platforms to say it on. It can affect you, but it shouldn't, you just have to enjoy the game, the club.... We are lucky to be here," he reminded him.
Finally, he highlighted his performance against City and is confident that it will continue: "Of course he was important with the penalty he earned and that header. I have no idea if it was on target, but it's difficult to play against him. Hopefully he can show that for the rest of the season.