Liverpool forward Darwin Nunez appears to SNUB Klopp in guard of honour

Jurgen Klopp brought the curtain down on his Liverpool managerial career with a 2-0 win on Sunday at Anfield against Wolves in the Premier League. 

The Reds had already secured Champions League football for next season - as well as Carabao Cup glory - meaning the club is in good shape as Klopp takes his leave. 

There were fond farewells all over Anfield yesterday, with Trent Alexander-Arnold delivering an emotional tribute to his departing manager and Klopp’s wife, Ulla, being pictured wiping a tear from her eye. 

In his post-game salute, Klopp ushered in the Arne Slot era by leading the Kop in a chant for the new coach, and gave a stirring address emphasising what the city and club means to him. 

It’s been an unforgettable nine years, with Liverpool being reestablished as one of the world’s pre-eminent clubs thanks to victories in the Champions League, Premier League and Club World Cup, among other tournaments. 

But on the evidence of Sunday there might well be ONE Liverpool player who won’t miss Klopp that much.

Darwin fails to applaud Klopp

Darwin Nunez was much criticised in the latter stages of the season with his propensity for missing presentable chances causing consternation among the club supporters. 

He lost his place in the line-up for the closing stages of the campaign, starting only one of the final SIX Premier League games and scoring only once since the opening weekend of March. 

That start came in the 2-0 defeat to Everton at Goodison Park, one of Liverpool’s worst performances of the season and a match which Cody Gakpo was slated to start but the Dutchman had to drop out owing to his partner Noa going into labour. 

Darwin has had to contend himself with a bench role, coming on as a substitute for the tail end of the game against Wolves. 

However when it came to paying tribute to Klopp afterwards, Darwin was noticeably taciturn. 

Having applauded enthusiastically as the rest of Klopp’s departing backroom team made their way one by one to the stage at the centre of the pitch to receive their plaudits, Darwin opted to hang back and FAILED to applaud as Klopp made his way past the guard of honour. 

He was evidently the only player who failed to do so with even Mohamed Salah, a superstar player with whom Klopp has fallen out with recently, mustering the energy to give his thanks. 

Does it suggest a deeper rift between Klopp and his record signing? We may never know and the pair were in fairness later seen dancing together in social media footage. 

Darwin heals Reds Insta rift

Meanwhile, Darwin caused controversy two weeks ago when he deleted ALL traces of Liverpool from his Instagram profile other than one photo which showed him outside the club’s headquarters after making his big-money move from Benfica. 

It came after severe and unwarranted social media abuse towards the 24-year-old following Liverpool’s home game against Tottenham at Anfield, in which he delivered a performance which frustrated supporters. 

The Uruguay international suffered a spell of poor form towards the end of the Reds’ season, which coincided with Klopp’s side dropping out of the Premier League title race. 

Things reached a head following the Spurs game and Darwin’s mass deletion spree and there was further speculation that the striker could end up LEAVING the club this summer amid interest from Barcelona. 

Liverpool would surely command a huge fee for a player who could end up costing £85 million and is under contract until 2028 and it’s unlikely Barca have the money to afford him anyway. 

That contrasts with events only four years ago when the Catalans had the chance to sign Darwin following his spell in LaLiga with Almeria. 

It’s been reported that Ronald Koeman was not convinced of the merits of signing the forward, who was available for a bargain €8m. 

Off he went to Portugal and became a household name with Benfica before impressing Klopp and transferring to Anfield in 2022. 

Amid the rumours surrounding his future, Darwin has perhaps the clearest hint yet that he intends to be at Liverpool for a long time yet by uploading an image of himself and his family dressed in the Reds’ brand new 2024-25 Nike home kit. 

Liverpool utilised the kit for the first time on Sunday, in Klopp’s farewell game. The players were greeted afterwards by their families on the pitch and Darwin took the opportunity to get a snap with his partner Lorena and their daughter. 

It comes just hours after Klopp confirmed his Liverpool departure and could suggest that the striker who has scored 33 goals for the Reds could be eyeing a future stay on Merseyside now that Klopp has gone.