Liverpool coach Arne Slot has assured Darwin Nunez that he has a crucial part to play in his side and will be the leading striker this season.
Nunez was reportedly facing an uncertain future at Anfield due to his inconsistency under former manager Jurgen Klopp but Slot was quick to inform the Uruguayan that he would be the club’s starting striker this season. According to The Mirror, Nunez is said to be ‘delighted’ after Slot phoned him and outlined the 25-year-old’s role in his team.
Nunez became Liverpool’s record signing when he arrived in a deal worth in initial £64 million ($79m) in 2022 but the ex-Benfica man has struggled with consistency during his time in England and only made 22 Premier League starts last season. Cody Gakpo ended the season as Liverpool’s starting striker under Klopp and the Dutchman’s three goals at Euro 2024 could give Nunez some competition for a role up front.
Nunez had the worst ‘big chance’ conversion rate in the Premier League last season, netting just 18 per cent of those opportunities in front of goal. The striker was also caught offside more than any other player in the league last season, while only Erling Haaland has missed more big chances than Nunez of any player in Europe across the past two years.
The forward is still away on an extended break after featuring for Uruguay at the Copa America earlier this summer. Consequently, he may not feature for Liverpool in their opening Premier League game against Ipswich on August 17th, although evidently he will have a significant part to play in Slot’s debut campaign on Merseyside.
