Darwin Nunez saw his penalty saved in Liverpool's defeat by Paris Saint-Germain in the Champions League last week and has jetted off to Uruguay for a much-needed break
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Updated 07:56, 19 Mar 2025
Darwin Nunez of Liverpool
Darwin Nunez has struggled for form recently(Image: Andrew Powell/Getty Images)
The international break has come at a good time for Darwin Nunez, who is delighted to get away from his struggles at Liverpool to play for Uruguay. Liverpool have endured a miserable period with their exit from the Champions League at the hands of Paris Saint-Germain followed by the Carabao Cup final defeat by Newcastle on Sunday.
Nunez played only a minor role in both games, coming off the substitutes’ bench but without making an impact. Nunez has contributed seven goals in 41 appearances across all competitions for Liverpool this season. He has struggled for consistency under Arne Slot, who has been reluctant to start him regularly, and there have been rumours that he could be sold in the summer transfer window.
The 25-year-old forward is therefore more than happy to be whisked away to play for his country, who face Argentina and Bolivia in World Cup qualifiers. After touching down at Carrasco International Airport in Uruguay, Nunez spoke to the local media, where he lamented the fact “the ball doesn’t want to go in.”
“To forget a little about what’s happening there, and besides, there’s nothing more beautiful for a player than wearing your country’s jersey,” he told El Pais of his motivation for the matches.
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“I’m happy thinking about the national team, enjoying every minute with it; these are moments that one goes through in football, and 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 teammates when I come back to the national team.”
Nunez’s crucial penalty miss in the shoot-out against PSG last week summed up his recent difficulties with Liverpool. Slot has preferred to play Diogo Jota as his side’s central striker, with Nunez only starting eight Premier League games this season.
Darwin Nunez sees his penalty saves by Gianluigi Donnarumma
Darwin Nunez saw his penalty saved by Gianluigi Donnarumma last week
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The Dutchman was critical of Nunez’s “unacceptable work rate” after games against Wolves and Aston Villa, but claimed he was “back to being the normal Darwin” after he set up Harvey Elliott’s goal in the first leg against PSG.
Nunez will hope he can perform well for Marcelo Bielsa and Uruguay in the coming days before returning to Merseyside. Liverpool are 12 points clear at the top of the Premier League and will have to get themselves ready for the Merseyside Derby against Everton on April 2 before a difficult trip to face Fulham at Craven Cottage four days later.
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