Liverpool manager Arne Slot has come to the defense of striker Darwin Nunez amid criticism of his goal-scoring form, urging critics to look beyond just the numbers. Ahead of Liverpool's Premier League match against Fulham, Slot addressed concerns about Nunez's relatively slow start in terms of goals this season. The 24-year-old Uruguayan has scored three goals in all competitions for Liverpool, with his last goal coming in a 2-1 win over Aston Villa in the Premier League. Despite some missed chances, including three significant opportunities, Slot praised Nunez's contributions to the team beyond his goal tally.
Slot acknowledged that Nunez has not scored as many goals as he, or the team, would have hoped for, but emphasized that the striker’s overall impact is crucial to Liverpool’s success. He said, “For me, he has an impact. If you only look at goals, he hasn't scored as many as he wants to score, or we want a number nine to score.” Nunez, who joined Liverpool from Benfica last summer, has faced some frustration, particularly after missing two clear chances in their recent 1-0 Champions League win over Girona. However, Slot reiterated that Nunez’s work rate, ability to regain possession, and efforts to create chances are vital aspects of his game that cannot be ignored.
The Liverpool boss highlighted that Nunez plays in a high-scoring team that has regularly won games, so while the striker’s desire for more goals is natural, his contributions go beyond the stats sheet. "He's part of a team that is scoring a lot and winning a lot, and as a striker, of course, he wants to score more," Slot said.
Slot also touched on the availability of two of Liverpool's other attacking players, Diogo Jota and Federico Chiesa. Jota has been sidelined with a rib injury since the end of October, but Slot confirmed that he could be ready to return to action against Fulham. As for Chiesa, the Italian forward has struggled for game time since his arrival at Anfield, with only 18 minutes played so far. Slot explained that Chiesa, who has been recovering from a long layoff, needs more time on the pitch to regain his sharpness and match fitness. "What he needs is playing time. If you haven't played for five or six months, it is sometimes difficult for a manager to give him those minutes because you don't know what to expect," Slot said, suggesting that Chiesa may get a chance in the upcoming match against Southampton.
In conclusion, while Nunez's goal-scoring might be under the microscope, Slot has been clear in his support for the striker's all-around contribution to the team. With Jota and Chiesa potentially returning soon, Slot's attacking options are set to increase, offering Liverpool more depth as they continue their push for success in both domestic and European competitions.
