Liverpool head coach Arne Slot is eager for Darwin Nunez to get game time with Uruguay in the international break. The October international break commenced this week after Liverpool beat Crystal Palace 0-1 in the away Premier League game.
The Reds are sitting at the top of the Premier League table ahead of the title contenders Manchester City and Arsenal. Liverpool have won nine out of their first 10 games in all competitions, conceding only four goals in early campaign.
However, things will get serious after the October international break as the fixtures come quickly and fast for the team. Liverpool have a very tough schedule as they play several top clubs in the Premier League and the Champions League.
Uruguay Football Federation challenged Nunez’s international suspension due to his controversial fight with Colombian fans in the Copa America competition. The Liverpool forward defended his and his teammates’ family from a violent Colombian crowd this summer, incurring a hefty punishment.
However, the successful outcome of the challenge allows Nunez to return to Uruguay and play the World Cup qualifying matches. Speaking about the reversal of the decision (via The Mirror), Slot emphasized the benefits of international duties for Nunez. He said:
“He [Nunez] would have probably played two games, at least one but I think both because he is a starter over there and like you guys are telling me constantly, he hasn’t started that much over here. It would have been good for him to get some playing time there. Now we will try to find a way of finding playing time over here for him or training time. Ideally for me he would have gone over there. I don’t think it is a good thing for a player being suspended. It’s a good thing for a player to go and see his team-mates, get energy over there, get some playing time. We’re working on that (behind-closed-doors fixture).”
Slot has used Jota as the main forward over Nunez during the start of the current campaign. The Uruguay international has only started three games in all competitions from the overall 10 games played by the club.
Nevertheless, Jota’s inconsistency in the overall form despite his clinical finishing abilities is a recurring problem which could change things. Nunez has faced criticism for missing clear-cut chances and the lack of concentration to avoid offside traps.
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Liverpool fans consistently back the Uruguayan, who won many games for the Reds last season. Nunez faces a make-or-break season to fulfil his immense potential, having the full support of his peers, fans and the head coach.
