Darwin Nunez 'gone too far' as Arne Slot told he faces major Liverpool transfer decision

Former Liverpool midfielder Dietmar Hamann believes new Reds head coach Arne Slot faces a difficult decision over the future of Darwin Nunez this summer.

Nunez experienced another mixed campaign despite 18 goals and 13 assists in 54 appearances, moving him on to 50 goal contributions in 96 appearances for the Anfield outfit since arriving from Benfica for a potential club record £85million two years ago.

The Uruguayan started just one of Liverpool's last six games of the season and netted only once in the Premier League since returning from a hamstring complaint in early March.

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New Reds boss Slot is understood eager to extract more from Nunez - who is with Uruguay preparing for this month's Copa America and scored a hat-trick in the recent win over Mexico - and sees the forward as part of his plans.

But Hamann said: "Liverpool have a very good team (but) I think there are still some doubts about Darwin. He (Slot) will need to make a decision there. Is he going to win you a league or a big title? I'm not too sure.

"I’ve always defended him, but I think it's gone too far now. I don’t think he’s delivered consistently enough in the two years he has been at the club."

Of Slot, Hamann added: "The people who know him, they speak very highly of him. He seems to be a man manager. From what I’ve read about him, there are similarities to (former Liverpool boss Jurgen) Klopp, which I think will help. At the same time, he can’t try and copy Jurgen – he has to be his own man."

Hamann has also suggested Slot will have to address situations regarding midfielders Dominik Szoboszlai and Alexis Mac Allister - who both arrived at Liverpool last summer - and that the Reds still need to unearth a match-winner to take the responsibility off the shoulders of Mohamed Salah.

"Liverpool have got a number of players who are injury prone," said the German. "Dominik Szoboszlai missed a lot of football. He started the season well; I wasn't too sure about him when he signed. I think the jury is still out on him.

"Slot needs to understand what the best role for Alexis Mac Allister is. Endo did well as a defensive midfielder, but that didn’t surprise me because I watched him in Germany a lot."

Speaking to Prime Casino, Hamann added: "Slot must decide on the futures of two or three players. What has hindered Liverpool over the last two or three seasons, even though they went close, was when they needed a goal in big games, apart from Salah, there was nobody that you would hang your hat on to make the difference.

"I don't see anyone there that can fill his shoes. Liverpool have a lot of supporting acts, but they’re not ready to become the leading man. That is key for me. Who can come into the team and do what Salah has done for the last seven years?"