Liverpool have not got best out of Darwin Núñez, admits Arne Slot
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Arne Slot has admitted Liverpool have struggled to utilise Darwin Núñez’s strengths this season because of problems they encounter against deep-lying defences. The Uruguay international, Liverpool’s record signing at £85m, has scored four goals and started only 14 of Slot’s 31 matches. Núñez missed Tuesday’s draw at Nottingham Forest through suspension but could feature at Brentford on Saturday with Diogo Jota an injury doubt again.
Núñez’s toils have raised questions over his long-term future. But Slot has backed the 25-year-old to deliver for the Premier League leaders and claimed there is collective responsibility for the striker’s output. “Darwin is a striker we have to use in a certain way and we were not able yet to bring the best out of him this season,” said the head coach. “Against Accrington Stanley again you saw he has a lot of pace but, unfortunately for him, most teams sit back a lot against us. I.
“If you look back at the goals he scored for us, I remember the one against [Aston] Villa when he went around the goalkeeper on a fast break, that is his main strength – he has other qualities as well – but we are still working on getting him in the best possible positions against a low block. That involves the right timings, the right crosses, the right position to start from and making the right run.”.
Slot also believes Núñez has not received sufficient protection from referees this season. The Dutchman, who revealed Jota “felt a niggle” during his 31-minute outing at Forest, said: “The way teams defend our No 9 is something you have to give them credit for. It’s never: ‘Here Darwin, you can score.’ Every time we put in a cross I see a defender all over him. I see it, referees unfortunately don’t.
