Jürgen Klopp has won all sorts of trophies in his time as manager at Liverpool, but this was something new even for him. Under the name “Community Shield” they award a silver disc every year in England, which now goes to Anfield Road for the first time since 2006. And because Klopp obviously can’t be choosy when it comes to collecting titles, he also took this Supercup victory home with the usual big smile after beating Manchester City 3-1 (1-0).
Klopp’s excellent mood at the official start of the season was reinforced mainly by the impressions he got from his substitutes. “They made the difference,” said the coach, “the most important thing was realizing that the boys are ready.” In particular, the 75-million man Darwin Núñez, whose fee including all bonuses could still increase to a three-digit million amount, liked Klopp in the game at Leicester’s King Power Stadium. The Uruguayan, who came into play after just under an hour, took out a hand penalty, which Mo Salah converted to make it 2-1 (83rd minute) – and then headed in low to make it 3-1 (94th).
The game that Trent Alexander-Arnold opened with his 1-0 (21st) was decided after City’s Julian Alvarez (70th) equalized. “Good, very good, and it will get better over time,” Klopp praised Darwin, his new storm attraction, when he saw his actions again later on the screen. “We all know that strikers are a special breed. Everyone needs something positive and for a striker it’s goals and goal involvement,” he explained.
Klopp praises Núñez in high tones – the Uruguayan decides the Supercup against City
In doing so, he pretty much outlined the opposite of what happened to Erling Haaland on his competitive debut for Manchester City. The Norwegian’s role in coach Pep Guardiola’s team is much the same as Darwin’s in Liverpool: a young, athletically tough target who all they expect on the island is to conquer every available penalty area. But on this day the campaign of conquest of the 22-year-old brought from Dortmund came to a halt.
Darwin Núñez, who moved to England from Benfica Lisbon, has his first trophy as a Liverpool player: the Supercup aka “Community Shield”.
(Photo: Leila Coker/AP)
Haaland had inhibitions, he got lost in the defensive thicket of the “Reds”, Liverpool didn’t let him play at all at times. The number foxes counted just 16 touches of the ball with him – a sobering number. But even more striking was his excessive demands in Guardiola’s system. While the Norwegian likes to storm into the depths in seven-league boots, City still has the mantra of the short pass. Result this time: Haaland often ran, but hardly a pass reached him. It doesn’t quite fit together what Guardiola’s offensive fabricated.
After a double chance in the first half, the attacker had basically only one notable scene, when he fired a shot at the crossbar in injury time. “It’s good for him to see the reality of a new country, a new league,” said Guardiola, trying to dampen expectations, but of course he also knows that the game needs to be smoother with the Norwegian in the near future. That he has to try to get more involved in the combination game. “Today he didn’t score – next time he will,” was the analysis of the city coach. The only question is how quickly the changeover will work.
It was just one game and Haaland could have a completely different influence when the league starts against West Ham next Sunday, but some integration work will probably still be necessary. “I’m absolutely not worried about that. He will help us,” said Guardiola, who was at least satisfied with Haaland’s range of motion. And anyway: The newcomer had already proven its “incredible” qualities on the “Citizens” advertising tour in the USA, so please don’t get excited.
Essentially, City will now be about coordinating running and passing paths, working on timing. When does the massive attacker launch into the wide open spaces of the opposing half, and when does he have to drop back to help raise Guardiola’s tight-lacing football? For the time being, however, when it comes to new miracle strikers on the island, Darwin initially has the right of the strongest compared to Haaland, he can claim “the first goal” for himself, like the tabloid The Sun communicated.
At the telegraph it was said that the City striker was simply trumped by his goalscoring rivals from Liverpool on his “unlucky debut”. To the delight of Jürgen Klopp, of course. He was impressed by the first result of the heavyweight duel: “Darwin seems very alive. He has settled in very well with us. A young top player who wants to learn.” And a guy who, unlike Haaland, has already won his first title in England.