Liverpool striker Darwin Nunez has been told he should use the constant chatter around his performances and his future as motivation to prove he belongs at Anfield ahead of the summer.

With just six goals this season, the Uruguayan has come in for some criticism. But ex-Liverpool forward Emile Heskey says there is still a chance he can turn things around and nail down a starting spot under Arne Slot.

"Nunez has got to use the talk about him leaving for himself," Heskey told Liverpool.com on behalf of Casino Scout. "There's talk about the club turning down a certain figure but it is for him to show that he still has a future here.

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"Doing that is going out on the pitch and performing like he did, and scoring goals like he did. They can't just rely on Mohamed Salah's goals all the time — you need others to chip in, and he's one of them."

Nunez scored twice against Brentford to win the Premier League clash at the Gtech Community Stadium last weekend and then followed that up with an unspectacular showing against Lille in the Champions League. In the game at Anfield., he got through plenty of defensive work but only had one effort on goal.

"We hope it's a turning point but we can't foresee the future," Heskey said. "He's worked his socks off and you're sitting there watching the game, just wanting something to hit him on his backside and go in for him to then kick on, because he works so hard for the team.

"You want him to do some stuff going the other way rather than doing it all going backward, because he is phenomenal in that sense — someone you really need in the trenches at times. But you need goals, and he came up with the goods [vs Brentford]. There's been a lot of talk about him and a lot of pressure on him, but he got his two goals.

"I think it's just the composure in front of goal. Luis Diaz is an interesting one — I'd say horses for courses — because there are certain games where he will cause all sorts of problems. He can run all over the place and he has an excellent ability to dribble with the ball.

"Diogo Jota is the main number nine if he can keep himself fit and Nunez is behind them. Diaz is the one that I like to see up front but there are certain games where it is just not going to work for him because there isn't that much space."

Jota, though, is set for a few weeks out again with a new injury. While Nunez has not got a run of matches under his belt so far this season, he could now be about to get a chance with so many fixtures to come.

"That is very tough," Heskey explained. "As a player, you want to get a run of games and some consistency behind you. You want to feel loved by the manager and playing you consistently makes you think that. It would be nice for Nunez, but this is football.

"There are a lot of games. They are still in the cups so there will be opportunities. It's not just goals; it's performances as well. When you're performing, and your team is winning, and you have a major say, that will help as well.

"When you talk about composure, look at the second goal against Brentford. A lot of players would just have hit that first time, but he took a nice touch past the defender and then hit it. The good thing is he is always in the positions. He's missed chances but some players let it play on their mind. He's still getting in those positions.

"He would have scored a lot more if had taken the big chances but he works his socks off and he is probably a defender's nightmare in terms of that work rate. He can be a bit rash with his challenges sometimes but he puts defenders on notice that you're going to have an easy day."

Nunez isn't the only conundrum that Liverpool is facing at the moment. Salah's contract remains a situation that needs to be resolved and Heskey believes he can still perform at the same level for the next few seasons.

"It's important but they're in talks," he added. "It would be nice to have him for several more years because you look at the numbers and if you ask any forward if they would take 20-plus goals every season, they would bite your hand off. He's doing that from right wing.

"If you were to buy someone who can give you something similar to those stats, it is a lot of money. I believe he looks after himself and the mental state he puts himself in, he is phenomenal.

"There is no one in the league putting those numbers up. But you'd like to think there would be enough there to go again [if Salah left in the summer]. It would look different, because no one plays like him. They got rid of Sadio Mane when the numbers were good but you have to reinvent and others would have to chip in.

"The way he looks after himself, he's not losing any pace or sharpness. I don't see why he can't play another two, three or four years at Liverpool. Then he can go to Saudi and still do well in that league because of the way he looks after himself. He's a very good professional."