Darwin Nunez came off the bench to create Liverpool's winner in Paris
Darwin Nunez came off the bench to create Liverpool's winner in Paris
Arne Slot claims Darwin Nunez is back after he gave the Liverpool striker a public kick up the backside.
Slot criticised Nunez’s work rate after the Wolves and Aston Villa games and demanded more from the Uruguay star. He feels Nunez answered his challenge when he laid on Harvey Elliott’s late winner against Paris Saint-Germain in midweek to end his nine-game run without scoring or making an assist.
The Reds head coach praised his contribution and feels the South American is “back to being the normal Darwin”. Slot said: “I think he was just back to being the normal Darwin, the player he was for seven or eight months.
“I think once or twice - for the games I mentioned - was exceptional and for the other games, he’s so loved by the fans because he’s always given everything since he’s been here. That’s what he’s always done. That’s what he did against Paris St Germain and that’s what he did in the last week as well.
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“He had one or two games that were not perfect, that also had to do with him missing that chance against Villa. “But sometimes these things happen and now he’s back to being the normal Darwin.”
Nunez, 25, has six goals and four assists and Slot may start him against Southampton at Anfield as he looks to rotate his squad ahead of Tuesday’s Champions League return against PSG. Slot is mindful Liverpool only have two full days to recover for the second leg of their last 16 clash at Anfield, but is adamant he is not looking to rest anyone.
He does not anyone inside or outside Anfield to take their eyes off Southampton with the Reds needing seven wins to secure a record-equalling 20th title. “For me, the game against Southampton is by far the most important,” he said.
Nunez ended a run of no goal contributions with his assist for Harvey Elliott
“If I make the choice to play other players that’s because I think it’s the best way to win the game and not because I want to rest them for the game against Paris St Germain.” Slot, who will watch from the stands as he completes his two-match touchline ban for swearing at referee Michael Oliver after the Merseyside derby, also called on the Liverpool fans to make some noise this afternoon for the first of what he says are three finals this week.
Liverpool face Newcastle in the Carabao Cup Final on Sunday and Slot said: “I have to convince my players that we play three finals, but I’m hoping that I can influence our fans.
“I want them not to come to the stadium five minutes before the kick off, I want the stadium completely filled half an hour before kick off so these players get the reward for what they did in Paris.”
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