Liverpool striker Darwin Nunez was full of praise for Mohamed Salah after the Reds' 3-1 win over Southampton and has also revealed a private joke he shares with the forward
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LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND - FEBRUARY 12: Mohamed Salah of Liverpool celebrates with teammates Darwin Nunez and Alexis Mac Allister after scoring his team's second goal during the Premier League match between Everton FC and Liverpool FC at Goodison Park on February 12, 2025 in Liverpool, England. (Photo by Carl Recine/Getty Images)
Mohamed Salah and Darwin Nunez have a good relationship on and off the pitch
(Image: Getty Images)
Darwin Nunez has heaped praise on team-mate Mohamed Salah following Liverpool's recent victory over Southampton and opened up on a joke that the duo share.Nunez was vital in the Reds' 3-1 win over Southampton on Saturday. Will Smallbone put the Saints 1-0 up; however, the 25-year-old scored the equaliser and won the penalty, which Salah then converted, to put Liverpool ahead. Salah later tucked away a second penalty after Luis Diaz was brought down in the box to seal the three points. The victory puts Liverpool 15 points clear of Arsenal at the top of the Premier League, albeit having played one game more.
Speaking after the tie, Nunez revealed that the Egyptian star's elite attitude is what separates him from his contemporaries this season.
"He has an incredible mentality," said Nunez. "When you arrive at the club, you see him there before everyone else, working hard. He has an incredible mentality and I always try to watch and learn from him.
"He is an example for many. Sometimes we joke with him; I tell him he doesn't give me a good pass and we laugh about it in the dressing room."
LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND - JANUARY 21: Liverpool's Mohamed Salah (2nd r) celebrates scoring the opening goal with Luis Diaz, Darwin Nunez and Curtis Jones during the UEFA Champions League 2024/25 League Phase MD7 match between Liverpool FC and LOSC Lille at Anfield on January 21, 2025 in Liverpool, England. (Photo by Alex Dodd - CameraSport via Getty Images)
Liverpool are in pole position in the Premier League after beating Southampton on Saturday
Often known for his unpredictability since joining Liverpool in 2022, Nunez had a mixed afternoon on Saturday at Anfield. The ex-Benfica man not only played a crucial role in Liverpool's comeback but also found himself in the middle of controversy after appearing to kick out at Southampton's Kyle Walker-Peters, yet he escaped a sending-off.
Southampton manager Ivan Juric also accused the Liverpool striker of going down "too easily" after he won the Reds' first penalty of the game. However, post-match, Slot, who had previously criticised Nunez's work ethic following games against Wolves and Aston Villa, commended the forward's performance as the Uruguayan star brought his season's goal tally to seven.
Mohamed Salah of Liverpool celebrates scoring his team's second goal with teammate Darwin Nunez during the Premier League match between Newcastle United FC and Liverpool FC at St James' Park on December 4, 2024
Mohamed Salah and Darwin Nunez reportedly enjoy a good relationship at Liverpool
"That is also the life of a number nine," Slot said. "You go from missing a chance to scoring an important goal to missing a chance again. "But today, especially in the second half you also saw the work rate he can bring to the team."Talking with TNT Sports Mexico, Nunez reflected on Liverpool's promising league position but emphasised that there's still a long journey ahead for Liverpool to secure their 20th top-flight title.
"Today it was a bit tough to get the three points, but we managed to pull through," Nunez said. "We need to keep going; this isn't over yet. There are many matches ahead and we all know the Premier League is very difficult, but we have to keep working."