Liverpool could sell Darwin Nunez in the summer | OneFootball

Liverpool striker Darwin Nunez could have been a hero on Wednesday night in the 2-2 draw against Aston Villa in the Premier League.

He could have been basking in glory by firing the Reds 10 points clear at the top of the table. Instead, he was left with a sinking feeling in the dressing room.

Conor Bradly played out a gorgeous pass to Dominik Szoboszlai, who unselfishly squared the pass in the path of Nunez, and all he needed to do was hit the target.

Although he hit the ball with his weaker foot, for a player of his calibre, it was expected that he would at least test the goalkeeper.

Nunez blazed it over the bar from six yards out.

Moments later, he got another brilliant opportunity to score, but Emiliano Martinez rushed out to clear the ball before him.

Slot said on Thursday that he can accept the fact that a player can miss a scoring opportunity, but he cannot simply accept the sulking reaction following it.

He said: “I can accept every miss, especially from a player that has scored two very important goals against Brentford, that’s scored for us in the home game against Villa.

“I would prefer him to score but the word ‘chance’ says it all – it’s a chance, so it’s not 100 per cent sure that the ball goes in. Players miss chances, that I can accept.

“But what was a bit harder for me to accept [was] his behaviour after that chance, and with behaviour I mean I think it got too much in his head where he wasn’t the usual Darwin that works his [backside] off and makes sure he helps the team.”

According to James Pearce of The Athletic, Liverpool could be open to selling Nunez in the summer transfer window, preferably to a Saudi Pro League club.

He is the most expensive player in Liverpool’s history, but there is a feeling that he has regressed in his third season at the club. Under Slot, players have improved, but the Dutchman has found it really difficult to remove Nunez’s rough edges from his game.

His dismal cameo consisted of just 10 touches. He completed two passes, had no successful dribbles and won just one of the five duels he contested.

Nunez was approached by Saudi Pro League clubs in January, but Liverpool made the right decision by snubbing interest.

It was a sensible decision as Liverpool would have struggled to find a perfect replacement in January. The situation could change in the summer window.