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Liverpool boss highlights solution to Nunez’s goal-scoring problem

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By Siddharth Juyal

Liverpool head coach Arne Slot provided a thorough assessment of the struggle of number nine Darwin Nunez during this season. Slot explained the various factors that have limited the opportunities for Nunez as they continue to work together for solutions.

The 25-year-old scored two late goals for the Reds against Brentford to end his recent goal drought and provide victory. The Reds have struggled to produce consistent results in 2025 despite continuing their dominance in both defensive and offensive phases.

Nevertheless, Liverpool have conceded poor goals and failed to make the most out of the numerous chances that they create. The Reds scored from their 36th and 37th shot on goal against Brentford, courtesy of Nunez, in the extra time.

Liverpool boss Arne Slot highlights the barriers that Darwin Nunez is facing and presents solutions for his struggle

The 25-year-old Uruguayan has not played a lot of games this season with his competitive teammates enjoying fantastic individual forms. Legendary forward Mohamed Salah has enjoyed an impressive season so far while Cody Gakpo and Luis Diaz remain consistently active.

Diogo Jota has scored whenever he managed to remain fit but his injury issues continue to make the Portuguese unreliable. Meanwhile, forward Federico Chiesa has gradually returned to full fitness, playing crucial cameos in recent matches for the Merseyside giant.

Speaking on Nunez (via The Times), Slot highlighted important factors that have restricted the Uruguayan from fulfilling his massive potential, continuing his struggle at Liverpool. He said:

“Darwin is a striker we have to use in a certain way and we were not able yet to bring the best out of him this season. Against Accrington Stanley [in the FA Cup] again you saw that he has a lot of pace but, unfortunately for him, most teams sit back a lot against us. If you look back at the goals he scored for us, I remember the one against [Aston] Villa when he went around the goalkeeper on a fast break. That is his main strength — he has other qualities as well — but we are still working on getting him in the best possible positions against a low block.”

Slot highlighted the crucial elements that will allow Nunez to thrive against the clubs that put a low block against Liverpool. He added:

“That involves the right timings, the right crosses, the right position to start from and making the right run. But I also see, and I don’t know if other people see this, the way teams defend our No9 is something you have to give credit to the other teams for. It’s never, ‘Here Darwin, you can score’. Every time we put in a cross I see a defender all over him. I see it, referees unfortunately don’t. That’s why for us, in general, it’s more difficult to score against a team like Forest because every time we had a chance they had six, seven, eight, nine or ten players standing in the 18-yard box.”

The Liverpool boss ended his assessment, which he provided before the Brentford game, with a promise of Nunez scoring again. A promise that the Uruguay international lived up to immediately with his heroics against the Bees. Slot stated:

“Darwin will score his goals. He already did and he will again.”

The Reds need their attacking players to become more incisive against opposition irrespective of their style of play. The depth in attack has allowed Slot to make impactful substitutions to change the trajectory of the game.

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However, Liverpool needs to avoid allowing their opponents to stay in the game, whether it is by conceding early or taking numerous frivolous shots. The Reds are at the top of the Premier League table with no room for such complacency. They need to remain incisive and professional for every minute of each game to achieve the ultimate success.

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