Liverpool legend pinpoints Darwin Nunez problem and area he needs to improve

Liverpool great Luis Garcia has urged under-fire Darwin Nunez to "work harder" after a difficult start to his first pre-season with the Reds.

Nunez, who Anfield chiefs shelled out an initial £64million on to sign from Benfica in June, looked out of sorts in both of his new team's friendly matches, against Manchester United and Crystal Palace. The 22-year-old striker was mocked by rival fans for his squandered chances and clunky play, having signed a four-year contract on Merseyside.

But while Garcia is confident that Nunez - who could end up costing a total of £85m - will come good, the Spaniard has added to the early criticism with a clear demand.

Garcia, who won the Champions League and FA Cup during his three-year spell at Anfield from 2004 to 2007, was asked by ESPN FC if Liverpool supporters should be worried about their new No.27's struggles and stated: "No, not at all. What I have realised is that he is going to have to work harder."

The ex-Reds ace added: "Liverpool play in a different way to Benfica. He is a player who is very clever; his football intelligence is fantastic. But he has to track back, he has to press. In the two games against Manchester United and Crystal Palace he has struggled.

"He wants to show that he is going to be ready to play, with the press, with that high pressure that [Jurgen] Klopp does with Liverpool. But after three or four runs he was tired. He had a few chances, but I think it was because he was tired.

"He only had three [training] sessions, then into the game with Manchester United. He had 10 sessions then faced Crystal Palace, but only played 30 minutes. I think his movements, the way that he plays, will give [Liverpool] a lot. But they need to wait. He needs to be physically ready."

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Liverpool manager Klopp, however, is not concerned over Nunez's first impressions, defending the Uruguay international after he missed an open goal against old foes United, as the Reds were thrashed 4-0 in Bangkok. "I'm not worried at all. The general judgement [on Nunez] is absolutely nil interest [to us]," Klopp affirmed.

"It will be like this, and we all know it. It's kind of a game or a joke for some people to pick out some situations where a player's not doing well. That's only a game from [fans of] other clubs, which is normal.

"Our fans probably do [the same] with signings of Manchester United. We cannot take this seriously. The only real important thing is how I judge the situation for the player and I couldn't be more calm - [we are] completely convinced about his potential. And actually, what our people - all Liverpool supporters in the whole world - should know is that new players need time and get time.

"We should be the first ones to delete the fee we paid [from our thinking]. Just delete it - it's not important. It's like this with strikers. He missed a chance and then there are some nervous people going, 'oh my God, he missed a chance' - I can promise you it will not be the last."