Arne Slot insisted that Darwin Nunez will get opportunities to prove himself despite playing just 84 minutes this season.
Nunez, who arrived with much fanfare as a £64 million record-breaking signing two years ago, has yet to live up to the high expectations placed on him.
His performances, while showing flashes of potential, have not been consistent, leading to growing concerns about his future at the club.
After being limited to a rotational role under Jurgen Klopp, Nunez has found it difficult to break into the first team in the Slot era as well.
He has managed to spend just 84 minutes on the pitch in the new campaign but the Dutch manager is not giving up on the striker and assured fans that he will eventually get more chances to prove himself.
When Slot was asked how Nunez could secure a starting berth, the manager replied: “He needs the same as all the others, work really hard and the goals will come.
“That’s what he did against [AC] Milan, he came in for the team and then as a result of that attackers have goals or assists.
“It happened with Cody [Gakpo] so if you play for a team like Liverpool you’ll get them [goals and assists].
“For me, it’s the work you do without the ball.
“He will get his chance in the near future, we play a lot of games, and he is fitter and fitter and understands day by day what we want from him.
“But he’s in competition with Diogo [Jota] who has done well.”
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With Nunez yet to open his account in the 2024-25 campaign, many have pointed to his lack of consistent playing time as a reason for his struggles, while others have questioned whether his style of play fits Liverpool’s current system.
He had a minimum impact during the 20 minute-cameo against AC Milan and all he could muster was two shots with one of them remaining on target.
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Liverpool’s upcoming Premier League clash with Bournemouth could offer Nunez another opportunity to stake his claim for a starting role.
As the season progresses, Slot will likely rotate his squad, given the Reds are fighting for silverware on multiple fronts, and this fixture congestion could work in Nunez’s favour, giving him more chances to prove himself to the manager and fans alike.
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