What Jurgen Klopp said about whether Darwin Nuñez will start against Aston Villa

© ProShots

Jurgen Klopp admitted that Darwin Nuñez is 'not happy' being a substitute, but suggested that Liverpool's new number nine has made a good case to start next weekend against Aston Villa after his match-winning brace against Newcastle.

The Uruguayan came off the bench to to score twice and snatch victory for the Reds at St. James' Park under dramatic circumstances on Sunday.

Liverpool went a goal down and then a man down in the first half against Newcastle, with a Trent Alexander-Arnold error leading to Anthony Gordon's opener, before Virgil van Dijk was sent off.

However, what looked to be a rough afternoon was turned into a magical one when substitute Nuñez bagged two near-identical finishes late in the second half.

READ MORE: Liverpool player ratings in comeback win against Newcastle

The former Benfica man has yet to start a game this season, but Klopp hinted after the game that he has a selection headache for next week.

Asked about Nuñez's starting lineup claim, Klopp replied (via Liverpoolfc.com): "I never made a decision about the line-up the week before the game, we will see. But you can have worse arguments, I would say."

Klopp also added that while the Reds' new number nine is not happy to be just an impact sub, there will be plenty of chance for him to impress throughout the long season.

"He is not happy for not starting, that’s how it is but somebody, in this early stage of the season, cannot start. We cannot have 11 players and play them all the time, so we need to find stability is the discussion… I don’t know if the public discusses it but of course players are not happy [when they do not start]," Klopp said.

"But after the international break we play every three days and nobody can play all the games so we have to make sure we have different options to go for. And we need to create a new way to play football and, of course, Darwin can be a super part of that. His key strengths are exceptional, absolutely, but we need to find stability as well. So, for him everything will be fine but it is just maybe it had to be like this – if he wouldn’t have been that angry and started the game today, he wouldn’t score two in the last six minutes or whatever, so let’s take it like that."

Liverpool take on Aston Villa at Anfield on Sunday, 3 September in the last game before the September international break. That will be followed by a trip to Wolves on 16 September.

LFC Store Christmas Gifts

The perfect Christmas presents for your family & friends

Related News

Liverpool FC News: Mo Salah issues EXCITING contract update as mystery absence explained

Bid CONFIRMED for Liverpool transfer target tipped to replace Darwin Nunez

Liverpool signed the NEXT Steven Gerrard and Roberto Firmino for just £60m