Arne Slot outlines Darwin Nunez challenge as Liverpool striker delivers after tough start

Arne Slot has praised Darwin Nunez’s return to form after what was a tricky start to the season for the Liverpool striker.

Nunez is almost certain to lead the line again when the Reds travel to Arsenal on Sunday, with Diogo Jota ruled out through injury. The Uruguayan has been handed his chance to impress over the past few days, and he has certainly made his case.

Although he didn’t get a goal after coming off the bench against Chelsea, Nunez was lauded for his work rate as he pressed and harried the visitors’ defenders right until the final minute – even if the referee left him and Slot raging as a result.

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He continued that good work against RB Leipzig in the Champions League and got his reward as he grabbed the winner – just his second goal of the season.

If, as expected, Nunez starts at the Emirates, it will be just his fifth start of the season, with Jota being preferred for the most part since Slot’s arrival. The Reds boss though is delighted to see his No. 9 delivering.

“I think he’s put a lot of effort in and that’s the first thing you can ask of a player,” Slot said. “And it was also nice of him to score a goal against Leipzig.

“He scored a goal, which was vital, but his work rate was also really good and I think he’s not played that many games with us.

“So with him there is, like the others, room for improvement in cooperation with some of the other players, but that’s normal.

“He’s very good and it’s pleasing to see that after a difficult start - because Diogo played so much for us - Darwin performed well against Chelsea and Leipzig."

Switching from Jota to Nunez does require some forward planning from Slot with the two offering different qualities up front. The Liverpool boss does appear to have hit upon the ideal plan for the latter, who faces something of a make-or-break campaign after a mixed couple of seasons following his move from Benfica.

“We do adjust the game plan to get the best from every player and as a result of that the best out of the team,” he said. “That’s defensively, but also offensively.

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“Darwin is a different type of striker to Diogo, so we have to use his qualities there in the best possible way.”

Meanwhile, Slot has explained his thinking behind keeping Trent Alexander-Arnold primarily on the right. The Liverpool vice-captain adopted a quarterback role during his last year or so under Jurgen Klopp, but the German’s replacement feels his combination with Mohamed Salah is providing plenty of benefits.

“I think it’s one of the ideas we have how we want to bring the ball forward,” he said. “That combined with the quality of Trent, not only playing on the inside, but in my opinion also making the overlaps, which Mo benefits from as well. That is helpful when Trent plays on the side rather than inside.

“I think it’s important other team don’t analyse us and think, ‘oh, every time they do the same. We have the answer to this.’ If we have more options for them, it’s a longer team meeting for the other manager.”