"Got to play" - Paul Merson says Jurgen Klopp MUST start £100k-a-week Liverpool star against Brighton

Paul Merson has stated Liverpool must start Darwin Nunez against Brighton in their Premier League game on the weekend.

The Uruguayan signed for the Reds during the summer for an astounding £85 million fee, but has so far failed to hit the ground running in a Liverpool shirt.

In his six games for the club the striker has only managed two goals and is currently on a run of four games without hitting the back of the net.

Considering Nunez’s poor start to the season, many believe Diogo Jota, who has just returned from injury, should come straight into the starting lineup against Brighton, having been so effective when utilised last season.

But Merson believes the £85 million man should be given another chance at the spearhead of Liverpool’s attack.

Speaking to Sportskeeda Merson had this to say:

“Jurgen Klopp will persist with Salah and Luis Diaz in his forward line. I think he’s got to play Darwin Nunez as well – they paid a massive fee for him and they now have to back him. I’m still going with Liverpool to win this game”

The Reds have had a shaky start to the season, having only won two of their opening six league games and will be hoping to change their fortunes when they face Brighton on Saturday.

Klopp’s side already find themselves nine points behind league leaders Arsenal, albeit with a game in hand, and could be in serious trouble if they fail to take three points from the Seagulls.

“This is a massive game for Liverpool,” said Merson.

“They have a Champions League match next week and a Premier League fixture against Arsenal after that - it's such a big week so early in the season.”

“In my opinion, they'll need to win all these three matches”

“The way Liverpool have played over the past three years, a third or fourth-place finish in the Premier League is not a success. If they don't win their next two league matches, they might find themselves out of the title race.”