Nunez aims for Reds return

Liverpool winger Antonio Nunez admits he has found the physical element of the English game a problem since his summer move from Real Madrid.

Nunez suffered a serious knee injury in pre-season training and only began to make an impact on the first time in December.

But he has struggled to convince the Anfield public that he is strong enough for the Premiership.

His troubles came to a head when he was sent off for an elbowing offence during the disastrous FA Cup defeat at Burnley.

That was a defeat which was followed by criticism of manager Rafael Benitez, accused of not taking the competition seriously enough.

Nunez has served his three-match ban and, with fellow Spaniard Luis Garcia serving a one-match ban, he could feature at Birmingham on Saturday.

“I think I have a lot to show the Liverpool fans because it’s been difficult for me this season as I’ve been out for a long time injured,” Nunez told www.liverpoolfc.tv.

“I have to adapt to the English game better as it is more physical than in Spain.”

Nunez’s displays have raised doubts about the quality of some of Benitez’s Spanish signings, similar to the way Gerard Houllier’s French buys were often perceived.

But Nunez insists he has settled in the Reds set-up, saying: “I am very happy here.

“I like the city and like the club and the people and I have been made to feel very welcome.

“And we are in a cup final which is a beautiful thing for me. Not everybody gets a chance to play in a final so you have to enjoy it and you have to do your best to win.”

Now Nunez is hoping he will get the call from Benitez to replace the suspended Luis Garcia.

He added: “We have been playing well and sometimes it is difficult to come back when the team are doing well.

“I didn’t get on the bench for the Fulham game and I hope I can get a chance on Saturday.

“It has been very frustrating for me not playing or being involved. When I saw on the video what had happened at Burnley I thought that is not a three-game ban but those are the rules and I have to abide by them.”