Liverpool boss Slot defends Nunez despite drop in quality

Arne Slot and Darwin Nunez

Arne Slot insisted Darwin Nunez is still an important part of Liverpool's plans despite the struggling striker falling below the "standard" in the Champions League win against Girona. Mired in a lengthy slump, Nunez has scored only one goal in his last 10 appearances and three in total all season.

In Liverpool's victory in Girona on Tuesday, the Uruguay international cut an increasingly frustrated figure after missing several chances.

Slot admitted he kept Nunez on for an extended period, before eventually replacing him in the 71st minute, in the hope he would score a confidence-boosting goal. "All our players feel the support of our fans but he is definitely one of them," Slot told reporters on Friday.

"We all saw they did something with him when he missed a few chances on Tuesday and everyone needs an arm around you, either from a team-mate, the fans or your manager. But I also made it clear to him that he is not only judged on the goals he scores, he is also judged on the team performance and he adds something to the team performance as well with his work-rate and how much he does winning the ball back high up the pitch," Slot said.

Nunez's position will come under increasing pressure with Diogo Jota and long-term absentee Federico Chiesa set to return to the squad for the visit of Fulham on
Saturday.

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