BIRMINGHAM, ENGLAND – FEBRUARY 19: Darwin Nunez of Liverpool in action during the Premier League … [+]
Arne Slot was clear in his criticism of Darwin Nunez. While most Liverpool fans targeted the Uruguayan centre forward for missing a golden opportunity to find the back of the net in a recent match against Aston Villa, the Reds head coach instead focused on his work rate and how he allowed the miss to impact him.
“I helped him by saying you can miss a chance,” said Slot, doubling down on comments he made immediately after the 2-2 draw against Aston Villa in which Nunez failed to find the back of the net. “I wasn’t only hard on him. But for the second time in a row I wasn’t happy with his work effort, against Wolves and against Villa.
MANCHESTER, ENGLAND – FEBRUARY 23: Liverpool manager Arne Slot before the Premier League match … [+]
“I can’t accept if a player doesn’t give everything. That is clear. I can accept it once, but twice was a bit too much. That’s why I addressed it. If you miss a chance, you need to be fighting for the team. I’m not saying he didn’t do that at all, but it wasn’t the usual Darwin, the one that is loved by the fans. That is mainly because he always works so hard.”
Slot’s comments come at a time when there is speculation swirling around Nunez’s future at Anfield. Recent reports claim Liverpool is open to selling the striker in the summer transfer window when Slot could push for the addition of a new number nine to strengthen his squad. Nunez’s days in red could soon be numbered.
Nunez has long been the subject of debate among supporters and experts. Bought by Liverpool from Benfica for £64m in the summer of 2022, the Anfield club believed he would become its next great number nine. Nunez had shown great potential in Portuguese soccer and this was reflected in his hefty transfer fee.
PLYMOUTH, ENGLAND – FEBRUARY 09: (SUN OUT, SUN ON SUNDAY OUT) Darwin Nunez of Liverpool shoots under … [+]
Over the last three seasons, though, Nunez has failed to develop at the rate Liverpool has surely hoped he would. The 25-year-old still misses too many opportunities to be considered a truly elite centre forward and Slot’s comments suggest he is losing patience. This summer might be the right time for a parting of ways.
Liverpool refused to sell Nunez in January there were offers for the Uruguayan from the Saudi Pro League. It’s unknown whether or not the Anfield club could recoup the £64m it paid for Nunez in 2022 should the decision be made to move him on, but Slot seems to be on some distance along the road of desiring a new number nine.
