Liverpool manager Arne Slot has admitted he is struggling to find a way to maximize striker Darwin Nunez despite the increase speculation about his future at Anfield.
Nunez, an £85million signing in the summer of 2022, has struggled to maintain a permanent role in Slot’s squad. He started just seven times in the Premier League this season, scoring four goals in 26 appearances in all competitions.
Reports have linked Nunez with a move away from Liverpool, with Al Hilal and even Manchester United set to test the Reds’ resolve, and Slot has now admitted the 25-year-old does not suit his preferred style of play.
“Darwin is a striker that we have to use in a certain way and we haven’t been able to get the best out of him yet this season,” Slot said.
“Against Accrington Stanley you saw once again that he has a lot of pace, but unfortunately for him most teams are held back a lot against us. When you look back at the goals he scored for us, I remember the one against.” [Aston] Villa’s greatest strength is getting around the goalkeeper on a quick counterattack.
“He has other qualities too, but we are still working on putting him in the best possible position against a low block. This includes the right timing, the right crosses, the right starting position and the right run.”
However, Slot defended Nunez’s disappointing return in front of goal by arguing that teams defend in greater numbers against Liverpool than against other opponents.
“The way teams defend our No. 9 is something to give them credit for,” Slot said. “It’s never, ‘Here, Darwin, you can score.’ Every time we cross, I see a defender attacking him everywhere. I see it, unfortunately the referees don’t.”
“It is generally more difficult for us to score against a team like this [Nottingham] Forest because every time we had a chance there were six, seven, eight, nine or ten players in the 18-yard area.
“And that one time [Chris] Wood had the chance that he was there almost alone. We weren’t really close to the ball. They only had one chance, we had 15. But in the 15 we had there was always someone near the ball or above one of our players. Darwin will score his goals. He has already done it and he will do it again.