Liverpool manager Slot has addressed Uruguayan forward Darwin Nunez’s struggles this season, as he has managed to score only once, with his sole goal coming against Bournemouth, marking his first for the club since April. In light of Nunez’s disappointing performance in Wednesday’s 2-0 Champions League victory over Bologna, Slot defended him, citing his limited playing time as a contributing factor, having started just three matches this season.
When asked if Nunez needed to adapt more to the team’s style, Slot emphasized shared responsibility between the coaching staff and the player. “It’s both,” he stated during a pre-match press conference ahead of Saturday’s game against Crystal Palace. He explained that the coaching staff’s role is to bring out the best in each player, adjusting their positioning to maximize their effectiveness.
Nunez did manage to score against Bologna, but the goal was disallowed for offside. Slot acknowledged that Nunez can score when given opportunities but lamented that the team hasn’t provided him with enough chances to get into goal-scoring positions.
Since taking over from Jurgen Klopp, Slot has led Liverpool to eight victories in nine matches and placed them one point ahead of Manchester City and Arsenal in the Premier League standings. However, he stressed the importance of remaining grounded, noting the players’ experience with league positions and their awareness of the early-season context.
Slot pointed out that players like Virgil van Dijk, Alisson Becker, Trent Alexander-Arnold, and Mohamed Salah have previously won the league and Champions League titles, and he expects them to keep a balanced perspective about being at the top of the table early in the season.
