Darwin Núñez’s Liverpool Struggles: Declining Star Under Arne Slot? | OneFootball

Darwin Núñez: A Dwindling Star? Uruguayans and Liverpool Fans Start to Question

Darwin Núñez’s once-promising rise at Liverpool is slowly being called into question, not only by the Uruguayan press but also by many of the club’s fans. With a new managerial regime under Arne Slot and dwindling playing time, Núñez’s future at the club seems more uncertain than ever. A closer look at the situation reveals why doubts are emerging and how the loss of key figures in his career, such as Jürgen Klopp, has exacerbated his struggles.

Lost Mentorship: The Departure of Jürgen Klopp

The Uruguayan outlet El País delves deep into the emotional and professional decline of Darwin Núñez since Jürgen Klopp’s departure. According to the report, Núñez “lost his guardian because Jürgen Klopp, who asked for him from Benfica… always trusted him, defended him from criticism, and argued that to reach his maximum performance, he only needed time.” However, the report also notes that Núñez no longer enjoys that sense of protection: “He no longer has, at least in the locker room, two players who were fundamental both in the Uruguayan national team and at Liverpool.”

This loss of support has been glaring in Núñez’s recent performances, both for his national side and at the club. Uruguayan fans are starting to echo the same concerns voiced by Liverpool supporters. Without Klopp and with his close friend Luis Suárez also out of the picture, Núñez appears to be lacking the vital emotional and tactical backing that once buoyed him through challenges.

Arne Slot’s System: Núñez Left on the Sidelines

The managerial change at Liverpool has not favoured Núñez either. Slot’s system appears to leave him on the bench more often than not, especially in important games. Out of the 900 minutes Liverpool have played under Slot this season, Núñez has only been on the pitch for 307 minutes, and 90 of those came in the Carabao Cup, a competition usually reserved for fringe players and squad rotation.

Looking at the numbers, Núñez has managed just four appearances in the Premier League, amassing only 134 minutes, and one appearance in the EFL Cup, with 90 minutes under his belt. In the UEFA Champions League, his minutes stand at 83. These figures paint a grim picture for a striker expected to be the number nine after a huge outlay. The statistics speak for themselves: Núñez is currently Jota’s backup, and unless something drastic changes, he may remain in that role.

Photo: IMAGO

Klopp’s Final Days: A Bitter End for Núñez?

The romanticised notion of Klopp being Núñez’s guiding light was somewhat marred by the reality of the German coach’s final days at the helm. It wasn’t all roses for Núñez under Klopp either. In fact, many Liverpool fans recall a sulkiness that emerged during Klopp’s last match. Far from being the star Klopp envisioned, Núñez found himself dropped before the end of Klopp’s reign, as the manager’s trust seemed to wane, along with the former Benfica man’s strikes. This period marked the beginning of Núñez’s marginalisation, and it has only intensified under Slot. The situation is reflective of a wider shift in Liverpool’s approach to their attack. Players like Luis Diaz, Diogo Jota and Cody Gakpo have risen in prominence, while Núñez struggles to find his place in this new system.

Will Núñez Turn Things Around?

The El País report strikes a poignant note when it emphasises Núñez’s resilience, quoting the player as saying: “I carry resilience in my skin.” But even his staunchest supporters are beginning to wonder if resilience alone will be enough. Núñez’s struggles on the international stage have only added fuel to the fire. Uruguay failed to score in recent fixtures, and Núñez himself has been criticised for not stepping up as a leader. It’s clear that Núñez is going through a rough patch, both mentally and physically, and the absence of Klopp and Suárez seems to have left a gaping hole in his support structure. Slot’s preference for Jota only adds to Núñez’s woes, leaving many to speculate if his time at Liverpool is running out. Although as mentioned, it can’t be pretended that Klopp hadn’t lost patience by the end.

Difficult Future for Darwin Núñez

Unless there’s a huge shift in form or tactics, it’s difficult to see how Darwin Núñez will succeed at Liverpool in the long term. His minutes on the pitch are dwindling, his influence is waning, and the Uruguayan press is right to be concerned. More importantly, the player looks devoid of confidence, one solitary Bournemouth strike aside. While Núñez still has the potential to turn things around, time is no longer on his side. The longer he remains a backup to Jota, the harder it will be to resurrect the once-glowing promise that saw him arrive at Anfield with such high hopes. It’s a now-or-never season and it seems like the latter just now.