Arne Slot set for Darwin Nunez run-in after 'smart way' plan hints at cold shoulder

Arne Slot could be about to give Liverpool’s club-record signing the cold shoulder as Darwin Nunez’s prevails continue.

It hasn’t been the start to the season Nunez would’ve hoped for, given it’s clear the Uruguayan isn’t in new boss Slot’s first-choice plans.

Nunez has started just three games all season, with two of those having come away from the Premier League.

His only Premier League start this term did yield a goal, but otherwise, it’s been a difficult first couple of months for Nunez, who could be set for even more time on the sidelines.

It comes after Slot hinted he has no plans to shift away from choosing Diogo Jota as the Reds’ first-choice centre-forward.

Speaking after the six-time European champions narrowly edged out Crystal Palace on Saturday afternoon, Slot told BBC Sport: “He puts a lot of effort in, but apart from putting a lot of effort in, he works in a smart way.

“Without the ball, he works really hard, like all the others, but with the ball, he always understands when to drop, when to play deep, and a bit higher.

“He has a lot of tactical knowledge, and that helps us in certain parts of the game.

“He scored a very good goal, although we have to give credit to Cody [Gakpo’s] and Kostas [Tsimikas] as well.

“But I think he also could have scored one more, maybe even two more.”

Slot has regularly been quizzed on Nunez’s involvement in the team, with the ex-Feyenoord manager insisting the striker can be of use for the Merseyside outfit this term.

Commenting on the former Benfica star last month, Slot said: “He needs the same as all the others, work really hard and the goals will come.

“That’s what he did against [AC] Milan, he came in for the team and then as a result of that attackers have goals or assists. It happened with Cody [Gakpo] so if you play for a team like Liverpool you’ll get them [goals and assists].

“For me, it’s the work you do without the ball. He will get his chance in the near future, we play a lot of games, he is fitter and fitter and understands day by day what we want from him. But he’s in competition with Diogo [Jota] who has done well.”

Nunez will have the chance to prove his worth once again after the October international break, with a mammoth run of games against Chelsea, RB Leipzig, Arsenal and Brighton on the horizon.

But if Slot’s comments are anything to go by, it’s likely Nunez’s impact will have to be felt off the bench.