Darwin Nunez already knows Arne Slot's opinion as Liverpool dealt 'transfer bombshell'

Liverpool’s Darwin Nunez might leave the club despite Arne Slot’s assurances that the Uruguayan forward will “get his chance.”

Nunez has started just one game under Slot this season and scored a solitary goal. While belief from Reds’ fans in the club’s record signing is still relatively strong, there have been cracks in Nunez’s relationship with the club, which began to form last season as the star lost his place in the team under former manager, Jurgen Klopp.

As per The Sun, Barcelona are reportedly now circling. Initial speculations hinted at the Catalans targeting Manchester City’s Erling Haaland, however it appears they’ve diverted their focus to snatching the Liverpool striker instead.

This newfound interest from the Spanish heavyweights could provide a much-needed escape route for Nunez, who, at 25, faces an increasingly precarious future at Anfield. Despite flashes of exceptional talent, Nunez has frequently been critiqued for squandering numerous scoring opportunities during his stint with the Reds.

Slot has consistently stated since joining the club that ex-Benfica star Nunez is part of his long-term strategy. Ahead of a Premier League match against Bournemouth, Slot suggested that Nunez’s dedication in training would translate into game time.

The motivational approach evidently worked, as Nunez secured a starting position in Liverpool’s 3-0 triumph, where he scored his first goal of the season – and his first since April. The Dutch boss has regularly defended the towering striker, although he admits that he has slipped down the Anfield pecking order.

“I don’t think it’s fair to say he only scored one [goal since April] because you also have to look at the playing time,” Slot commented in September.

“I think this was his third start of the season so I don’t look at it in the way you do and only focus on the individual. I think in the first hour we didn’t create lot of chances for him because we missed out on the last pass on a number of occasions. If we would have done better, that probably would have led to chances for him as well.

“There’s a lot of confidence in him. But there are two players for that position and I could even come up with more, who could play in that position. He’s in competition with Diogo, who’s done really well. But many games have to be played and there will be enough time to judge Darwin, if he improves and how he improves and if he can do special things for the club.”

Slot also defended his reasons for not starting Nunez on a regular basis, adding: “It’s always difficult because players, but also the media, only think you have confidence in a player if you play him.

“We have confidence in all of them, otherwise you don’t bring a player in if you’re 3-1 up half-an-hour before the end or last week against Nottingham Forest, he came on half-an-hour before the end.”

The former Feyenoord manager believes Nunez needs to contribute to the cause as his team-mate Cody Gakpo has. Nunez lost his place to the Dutch international last season and has seen himself behind the 25-year-old again this season.

“Sometimes as a striker, you have a few games where you don’t score goals, then all of a sudden, you score a lot. So as long as he brings his work rate for the team, I’m 100 per cent convinced he will score. He will get his chance in the near future, we play a lot of games.

“That’s what he [Gakpo] did when he came in against AC Milan. You come in and work for the team and then as a result of that attackers score goals or get assists.

“That’s what happened to Cody, but it will happen with Lucho [Luis Diaz], Mo [Salah] and Diogo [Jota] If you play in a team like Liverpool, you will always score your goals and get your assists.”

Nunez’s rollercoaster spell at Liverpool has seen some remarkable highs, including his late double against Newcastle that snatched victory from the jaws of defeat last season. He also won over the Kop with his brace against arch-rivals Manchester United in their 7-0 thrashing of United in his debut season.

However, on the flip side, the No. 9’s inconsistent displays in front of goal led to frustration as he lost his place under Klopp towards the end of last season. Despite netting 34 times for the Reds, Nunez faced online abuse, prompting him to remove all references to the club from his Instagram account.

The 25-year-old later addressed the unpleasant social media interactions with Por la Jersey via ESPN Uruguay, saying: “From the moment you start playing and until you retire, there will always be someone who will criticise you. Whoever says that those negative comments do not affect them is lying, those negative comments that are directed towards you will always affect you.”

Despite Slot’s unwavering belief in Nunez, the Dutchman will be demanding performances from his main striker that have yet to materialise. As Barcelona’s interest in the player surfaces, Slot now faces a significant decision regarding Nunez’s future at Anfield.