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Liverpool striker Darwin Nunez pictured with captain Virgil van Dijk (Image: Simon Stacpoole/Offside/Offside via Getty Images)

Virgil van Dijk insists Darwin Nunez still has "a big role to play" at Liverpool this season.

And after sitting out that huge win at City, the Uruguay striker - who posted defiantly on social media following online criticism - turned in a second-half cameo against Newcastle as the Premier League leaders went 13 points clear of Arsenal, thanks to goals from Dominik Szoboszlai and Alexis Mac Allister.

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Asked specifically about Nunez, Liverpool captain Van Dijk said: “Everyone has a big role to play.



I think we did that well.

"It is the most difficult thing to keep running behind the ball and trying to win the ball but if you have the ball then you can create the open space and more chances and I think we did that in a good way.

“I think everyone played their part.

So, 2-0, it's a clean sheet and we move on."

Wednesday's game was a dress rehearsal for the Carabao Cup final on March 16 and while the Reds were largely dominant against Eddie Howe's Magpies on the night, the skipper does not believe that offers clues as to how the Wembley showpiece will play out.

Alexander Isak, who has scored 19 Premier League goals this term, missed the game with a groin injury and Van Dijk expects Newcastle to be a different prospect when the Sweden international makes his comeback, which is expected before the final.

"A final is always different and we are very wary of the threat they possess," Van Dijk added.

But listen, a final is a final and everyone wants to play and play their best game ever.

“When the time comes, we will prepare in the best way possible, like we prepared today as well, for any anything that could have happened.

We came out of it well, but we know obviously it will be a difficult game.”

"Comparison with Chelsea last season, beat them comprehensively here, but it was more close run at Wembley?

“I think we had to deal with quite a lot of injuries at the time in the final.
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