James Pearce Flags £64m Liverpool star as ‘Growing Concern’ for Slot

Liverpool splashed out a hefty £85m to secure Darwin Nunez’s services in 2022, with an initial £64m paid upfront. However, the Uruguayan forward has struggled to justify the price tag. Under Arne Slot, Nunez is no longer a guaranteed starter, reflecting his inconsistent displays. With a wage of £140,000 per week, his return of 55 goal contributions in 115 games leaves much to be desired for a striker of his stature. The club will be eager for him to rediscover his best form to avoid the risk of him becoming a costly misfire.

Núñez faces pressure to prove his worth at Liverpool

Darwin Núñez has found himself behind Diogo Jota and Cody Gakpo in Liverpool’s attacking pecking order. Despite the Reds soaring to the top of the Premier League, the Uruguayan has only managed two league goals this season.

According to The Athletic’s James Pearce, it was telling that Arne Slot opted to use Luis Diaz as a central striker against Bayer Leverkusen and Manchester City, leaving Núñez on the bench. Pearce suggests that patience is wearing thin, even among the striker’s staunchest supporters, as Jota, Gakpo, Mohamed Salah, and Diaz continue to outshine him in front of goal.

James Pearce notes that Nunez’s ongoing struggles are becoming a “growing concern” for Arne Slot as Liverpool aim to compete for major honours. Despite their victory over Girona, Slot criticised the team’s lack of intensity and pressing, with Nunez, who has been labelled as having “alarming” form, playing a leading role before being substituted.

It remains to be seen whether Slot will persist with Nunez in the next fixture. However, with Diogo Jota returning from injury soon, it wouldn’t be surprising to see him replace Nunez in the starting XI.

The real challenge for Liverpool lies in how they handle Nunez in the long term, as recouping the £85m paid for him seems increasingly unlikely given his chaotic performances.