The Reds boss called out Nunez's unacceptable 'behaviour' after the Uruguay forward missed a glorious chance in last week's frustrating 2-2 draw away to Aston 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, and players miss chances," Slot said.
"That I can accept but what was a bit harder for me to accept was his behaviour after that chance. I think it got too much in his head, where he wasn't the usual Darwin that works his a** off and makes sure he helps the team...that is something we will talk about."
Slot later clarified his strong remarks and said he was left frustrated because it was the second time the player's work rate had dropped, rather than being annoyed about the missed chance itself. The Dutch head coach has now been told that the reason for Nunez's lacklustre attitude could be due to interest from other clubs.
The £65m signing was reported to be the subject of attention from Saudi Arabian clubs during the winter transfer window. And former Manchester United goalkeeper Ben Foster believes he may already have one eye on the Anfield exit door.
"If you're somebody looking from the outside in, that reeks of him going to Saudi Arabia in the summer," Foster said on his Fozcast podcast. "That's enough of a statement for me from Arne Slot to say that he’s not happy with this.
Arne Slot said Nunez's work rate dipped after missing the chance
Arne Slot said Nunez's work rate dipped after missing the chance (
Image:
Getty)
"Usually Darwin, whether he misses or scores, he works his socks off, he does it properly, he gets back and he wants to win the ball back. He's not even doing that now, and that smells of a player that's already had his head turned."
Following last week's draw, Slot later revealed he had spoken directly to Nunez about the issue, resulting in a marked improvement in his work rate. But Foster said it might already be too late for him to resurrect his career at Liverpool, with fans growing increasingly frustrated by his poor performance in front of goal.
As uncertainty looms over the future of several Reds stars, the former Wrexham stopper warned that Anfield chiefs need to boost the club's attacking options during the summer.
There is uncertainty over the future of Trent Alexander-Arnold, Mohamed Salah and Virgil van Dijk
He said: "I don't think Nunez is a weak link, because he's a handful, and any defence coming up against him would worry about him, because he's so physically capable. He's a little bit like Erling Haaland in that sense.
“But I think the thing that Liverpool fans are a little bit disappointed with is that he misses so many big chances. What's going to happen with Trent (Alexander-Arnold), Virgil (van Dijk), and Mohamed Salah, nobody really knows yet, so that's one position they need to get right.”
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