Darwin Nunez has struggled for form for Liverpool this season with his future the subject of speculation as a result
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Updated 17:18, 18 Mar 2025
Liverpool striker Darwin Nunez.
Liverpool striker Darwin Nunez.(Image: Richard Martin-Roberts - CameraSport/CameraSport via Getty Images)
Darwin Nunez has admitted that he is not performing well and is low on confidence after the Liverpool striker reported for international duty with Uruguay. The 25-year-old has only scored seven goals this season with 23 of his 40 appearances coming from the bench.
Failing to convince under Arne Slot, Nunez was criticised publicly by the Reds head coach last month after disappointing performances against Wolverhampton Wanderers and Aston Villa.
And while the former Benfica man responded with an assist off the bench against Paris Saint-Germain and scored against Southampton, he has since been ineffectual.
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The forward spoke to reporters after arriving at Carrasco International Airport ahead of linking up with Uruguay. And he’s vowed to keep working hard as he hopes to rediscover form while away with his national side.
"I'm happy thinking about the national team, enjoying every minute with it,” he said, as quoted by El Pais. “These are moments that one goes through in football.
"As I said recently, I'm not someone who throws in the towel because they don't play, but rather I'm going to keep working so I can play.
"I know I'm not performing as well as I should. It's difficult because when you're doing well, like when I came on against PSG, your confidence changes, with the idea of being able to break it in the next match.
“But then you get a slump, and I'm always there to help my team0mates come back to the national team. The ball doesn't want to go in. Let him run a lot, play well, and then not be able to score a goal.
"I'm strong in my head, since my family always supports me, and that's the important thing to keep working and bring joy to everyone, like beating Argentina to get the three points.
"(I want) to forget a little about what's happening there (at Liverpool), and besides, there's nothing more beautiful for a player than wearing your country's jersey."
Uruguay host Argentina on Friday (March 21) before travelling to Bolivia on Tuesday (March 25). Liverpool return to action with the Merseyside derby at home to Everton on Wednesday, April 2.
And having scored in Uruguay's 2-0 victory in Argentina when they last met back in November 2023, Nunez jokes he has shared words with Reds team-mate Alexis Mac Allister ahead of this week's clash.
"I spoke with Mac Allister," he admitted. "Because I had told him the other day that they were going to play at Boca Juniors' stadium (La Bombonera) and were going to lose.
"Now I don't want him to look at me so he doesn't jeer at me!"