“It’s a Challenge” – Liverpool Boss Arne Slot Admits Frustrations Over Darwin Nunez | OneFootball

Arne Slot on Darwin Nunez: Unlocking Potential and Positional Challenges

As Liverpool’s 2024/25 season progresses, manager Arne Slot faces a complex challenge: how to best utilise the talents of Darwin Nunez. The Uruguayan forward, signed with great expectations, has yet to solidify his place in the starting XI. With Diogo Jota emerging as the preferred striker, Nunez’s versatility has made it difficult to determine his ideal role.

This issue raises an intriguing question: how do Liverpool unlock the full potential of a player who is evidently talented but struggling to break into a cohesive system?

Nunez’s Role: A Puzzle for Slot

Nunez has participated in seven of Liverpool’s games this season, including four Premier League appearances, but three of those came from the bench. His playing time has largely been limited to cup competitions or as a late substitute, and this inconsistency could be affecting his form.

Photo: IMAGO

While there’s always the possibility of deploying Nunez on the left wing, where his pace and physicality could be advantageous, this option is less viable when considering Luis Diaz’s outstanding form and Cody Gakpo’s ability to fill in effectively. The competition for places means that Nunez often finds himself on the sidelines.

In discussing Nunez’s situation, Slot was candid, acknowledging the difficulty of integrating him fully into Liverpool’s dynamic attack. “I think it’s the challenge we as staff always have to bring the best out of the individuals,” Slot explained to reporters. His comments reflect an ongoing dilemma for Liverpool: how to extract the maximum from a player who doesn’t quite fit the mould of the club’s other attackers.

Different Styles, Different Approaches

One of the primary challenges in utilising Nunez stems from the distinct differences in playing style between him and Jota. Slot pointed out that it’s not simply a case of swapping one forward for another. “We try to find different ways of positioning Darwin than Diogo because they are not the same players,” Slot noted, underscoring the importance of tactical flexibility.

This difference in style extends beyond just Nunez and Jota. Slot added that the entire squad must adjust depending on who leads the attack. “Their teammates also adjust to the player they are playing with. That’s also what I as a manager have to do and also what we are doing.” These subtle tweaks in positioning and movement can have a massive impact on how effective Nunez is when he does play.

Photo: IMAGO

Despite this, Nunez has been unlucky in front of goal. Slot referenced a recent game where Nunez failed to score due to an offside call. “When we bring him the chances, he is able to score but unfortunately we couldn’t bring him that much in the position we want to.”

Liverpool’s Attacking Conundrum

Nunez is not alone in his struggle for goals. Even Diogo Jota, typically more reliable in front of goal, has found it difficult at times. “If I’m completely honest, even Diogo didn’t have [many goals]. I think the most goals we score come from our wingers until now,” Slot admitted, emphasising the significant contributions of Diaz and Mohamed Salah.

This shift towards a more winger-focused attack is evident in the statistics, with Liverpool’s wide men accounting for the bulk of their goals so far this season. Slot, however, remains determined to find a way to involve his strikers more centrally. “Maybe it’s also for us something to look at, although we score a lot of goals, to bring our striker, if it’s Diogo or Darwin, even more in positions to score.”

It’s clear that Liverpool’s attack is fluid, and Slot is aware of the need to balance the contributions of both wingers and strikers to maintain a potent threat. For Nunez, this means continued adaptation and an ongoing search for a system that maximises his attributes.

Crystal Palace Showdown: Another Test for Nunez?

Liverpool’s next Premier League fixture sees them face Crystal Palace at Selhurst Park, a notoriously tough away ground. With the international break looming, it’s an important opportunity for Nunez to stake his claim for more minutes. Whether as a starter or an impact substitute, this could be the perfect chance for the Uruguayan to remind Slot—and Liverpool’s fans—why he was brought to Anfield in the first place.

As the search for Nunez’s best role continues, Slot and his staff remain hopeful that they will eventually find the key to unlocking his full potential. Until then, patience may be required from both the player and the fanbase.