Darwin Nunez sends new Liverpool boss Arne Slot clear message as attacking solution offered

Liverpool striker Darwin Nunez was on target for Uruguay as they got their Copa America campaign off to a winning start in a 3-1 win over Panama.

The Reds forward, who will be looking to hit the ground running under new head coach Arne Slot, continued his fine form on the international stage - continuing to repay the faith shown in him from former Leeds United manager Marcelo Bielsa.

Uruguay moved top of Group C on goal difference after the USA got off to a winning start in a 2-0 win over Bolivia. Nunez, 25, sported a daring new look for their Copa America curtain-raiser ditching his iconic ponytail for cornrows.

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After enduring a difficult debut season in the Premier League, the striker had a positive campaign, netting 11 times and providing eight goals in 36 appearances. With Jurgen Klopp's departure, Slot is the new man in the frame as he looks to get the attacker firing on all cylinders for the Reds after the Dutchman was officially unveiled last week.

Nunez celebrated turning 25 on Monday with a well-taken left-footed volley to double Uruguay's lead with five minutes remaining. Maximilliano Araujo broke the deadlock after 16 minutes before Matias Vina added a third in stoppage-time but there would be no clean sheet for Sergio Rochet after a superb consolation goal from Michael Murillo.

"We started the first half well, we went 1-0 at halftime," the 25-year-old said post-match. "I think in the second half they were better than us for the first 15, 20 minutes, we suffered a little, but then we made the right decisions again and I think we deserved the victory."

Nunez continued his fine form for Uruguay after netting a ninth goal in his last five outings, following on from his hat-trick in the friendly win over Mexico. His performance at the Hard Rock Stadium in Miami earned glowing reviews from local reporters, Uruguayan outlet El Pais described him as 'incisive and dangerous', noting a host of his missed chances.

The report says: "Incisive, dangerous and putting a lot of pressure on the defenders, although the main one must have been in the definition since he had the chances to score, but he couldn't take advantage of them. Of course, perhaps the most difficult of all he ended up taking advantage of with a great left-footed shot that beat the rival goalkeeper."

The performance will send a clear message to Nunez's new club boss as Slot looks to build his own team at Anfield. Nunez will be hoping to earn a spot in his new manager's starting XI, and has shown he can get amongst the goals if Slot places his trust in the Uruguayan when the season starts.

It was also a winning start to the tournament for Liverpool teammate Alexis Mac Allister as Argentina beat Canada 2-0 on Friday, another Reds star is in action Monday night (11pm kick-off) as Luis Diaz's Colombia take on Paraguay.