Liverpool vs Lille: Slot challenges Liverpool striker Nunez to show he’s elite
Liverpool boss Arne Slot has challenged Darwin Nunez to show he’s an elite striker because the much-maligned Uruguayan appears to reap the benefits of Diogo Jota’s newest damage.
Slot revealed on Monday that Jota will likely be sidelined for a number of weeks after struggling a muscle damage in Liverpool’s draw at Nottingham Forest on January 14.
The Portugal ahead’s absence has offered one other alternative for Nunez to lastly show his value, beginning with Tuesday’s Champions League tie towards French group Lille at Anfield.
Nunez has struggled to win over each Slot and his predecessor Jurgen Klopp since signing from Benfica for a price rising to a possible £85 million ($104 million) in 2022.
The 25-year-old gave a glimpse of his efficiency with the stoppage-time double that fired Liverpool to a dramatic 2-0 win at Brentford within the Premier League on Saturday.
However these had been his first top-flight targets since November and he has scored solely six instances in all competitions this time period.
“I don’t assume it’s the primary time Darwin has been on this scenario when Jota has been out,” Slot advised reporters on Monday.
“However he’s in a great place as a result of he scored two towards Brentford. We have now 4 strikers who’re match to begin and Darwin is one in every of them.
“After all, it will increase the prospect for Darwin to get extra enjoying time if one is injured and particularly if it’s a quantity 9.”
Slot admitted lately that he has discovered it arduous to get the perfect out of a participant heralded as one of many world’s brightest younger abilities when he was at Benfica.
‘A pleasant problem’
Urging Nunez to indicate he was worthy of that hype, Slot added: “Essentially the most tough in soccer is to search out consistency, as a group and a person. Just a few gamers are in a position to be on the similar stage each few days.
“Then there’s a huge group of gamers who can play properly however not each time. He’s in that group. We have now one or two who’re within the group of the very best customary. That could be a good problem for him.”
Liverpool can ebook its place within the Champions League final 16 if it avoids defeat towards Lille.
The Reds have received all six league section matches and sit three factors clear on the high of the desk.
And regardless of a current blip, Liverpool is six factors clear on the high of the Premier League.
Brentford boss Thomas Frank labelled them the world’s greatest group however whereas he’s flattered by the reward, Slot insisted it’s too quickly for such glowing tributes.
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“I feel it’s far too early to say this stuff. The Champions League format is totally different,” he mentioned.
“We have now to face a whole lot of groups. Can we choose the league desk within the Champions League? Very tough. But it surely’s all the time good to get compliments.”
Slot additionally mentioned it didn’t matter if Liverpool finishes high of the league section as a result of it won’t assure a simple last-16 opponent.
“With this unusual new format, I’m not pondering (about) the league desk in a approach that when you end primary you get the best group,” he mentioned.
“Paris Saint-Germain is low down however has confronted perhaps the toughest group in every of their video games. Perhaps when you finish primary you possibly can face them.”
