Arne Slot defends Darwin Nunez’s contribution but accepts his standards dipped

Liverpool head coach Arne Slot has defended the contribution Darwin Nunez makes to the team but accepted the under-scrutiny striker’s standards fell below the required level this week.

Nunez has scored only one goal in his last 10 appearances and managed only three all season, which is less than Diogo Jota, who has missed the last 11 matches with a chest injury.

In the Champions League win in Girona on Tuesday, the Uruguay international cut an increasingly-frustrated figure after missing a couple of chances and Slot admitted he kept him on for an extended period – eventually being substituted in the 71st minute – as he wanted him to get a goal for his confidence.

After receiving some criticism, Nunez posted on Instagram: “They are not all, they are some. Thank you Reds for your support, we are all still together.”

In a separate post he just wrote the word “Resiliencia” (Resilience).

Slot said now more than ever the 25-year-old needed the support of fans and his team-mates.

“All our players feel the support of our fans but he is definitely one of them. Mo (Salah) is scoring so many goals he likes the support of the fans but doesn’t really need it at the moment,” he said.

“We all saw they did something with him when he missed a few chances on Tuesday and everyone needs an arm around you, either from a team-mate, the fans or your manger.

Together we stand, ready for what’s next!