Jurgen Klopp admits Darwin Nunez ‘would have scored more goals if he was playing for Man City’ this season and hopes Liverpool striker isn’t comparing himself to Erling Haaland

Jurgen Klopp has sent a message to his ailing Liverpool team to give Darwin Nunez the platform he needs to score ahead of this weekend’s clash with Man City.

The Premier League title rivals - although Klopp admits they aren’t this season - meet on Sunday at Anfield in their second clash of the campaign.

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A lot has happened since their first meeting in the Community Shield curtain raiser, where Liverpool won 3-1, Nunez scored and Haaland endured a frustrating game where he had little to no impact.

Going into Sunday’s game, though, Haaland is on course to break a host of Premier League records with 15 goals from eight games and City are keeping pace with league leaders Arsenal, while Nunez has managed just two league goals with Liverpool down in tenth.

Haaland's brilliant introduction has inadvertently shone the light on Nunez, with inevitable comparisons being made ahead of the showdown in Merseyside.

And Klopp made a bit of a swiping comment to his players when asked about the Uruguayan and his stuttering start to life as a Liverpool player.

"Let me say it like this, I think Darwin Nunez would have scored a couple more goals if he had played in the centre of Man City this season," the German said in his pre-match press conference.

"We have to improve our game to bring him more often in these situations.”

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Klopp also hopes Haaland’s success is not getting into his new No27’s head.

"I don't know, but I hope it is not in a process where he compares himself with Erling Haaland,” added the Reds boss.

"Don't compare, I hope he is not doing that and doesn't think about that. I don't see that.

"We are in our situation and we want to sort our situation and that is all we are concerned about."

Luckily for Liverpool, Roberto Firmino has stepped up at just the right time with the Brazilian looking more like his old self this season.

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The 31-year-old is out of contract in the summer and his role in the team was doubted following Nunez’s arrival, but Firmino has scored eight goals in 11 appearances - only three fewer than he managed in the whole of last season.

His six goals in the Premier League currently only puts him behind Haaland and Tottenham striker Harry Kane in the Golden Boot standings, and Klopp has been delighted by his performances.

"Bobby is in a really good moment. I'm really happy for him," the Liverpool head coach added.

"Even when it's for us obviously not the best moment we've ever had, it's helpful when these boys at least still know where the goal is.

"Nothing changed really for Bobby. Bobby always played when he was fit in this team, he always contributed when he was fit."