Report: Manager hints at crucial talks with Liverpool’s under-fire striker | OneFootball

Nunez Future in Doubt as Slot Confirms Talks Over Striker’s Mentality

Liverpool’s 2-2 draw with Aston Villa was an evening of frustration, and for Darwin Nunez, it was yet another night where questions were asked about his place in Arne Slot’s plans. The Uruguayan striker once again found himself at the centre of scrutiny after a glaring miss at Villa Park, and his manager has now confirmed that serious discussions are needed regarding his response to setbacks.

Missed Opportunities and Mounting Frustration

For Liverpool fans, the sight of Nunez bearing down on goal no longer carries the sense of anticipation it once did. Instead, there is a lingering doubt, a fear that what should be a straightforward finish might end up being another missed chance.

That was the case again at Villa Park when Dominik Szoboszlai unselfishly squared the ball to Nunez, leaving him with what appeared to be a routine tap-in. Instead of burying the chance, he opted to loft the ball, attempting to lift it over the recovering Axel Disasi, only to miss the target completely. It was a moment that could have sealed a crucial victory, one that might have kept Liverpool in control of the Premier League title race.

Photo IMAGO

Replays suggested the angle was trickier than it seemed at first glance, but for a striker leading the line for a team chasing silverware, it was still an opportunity that had to be taken. Instead, Nunez’s wayward finishing became the story of the night once again.

Arne Slot did little to shield his striker from criticism when speaking after the game. “If you look at the chances we had in the second half, there is one player in the dressing room who feels quite down. You know who it is,” he told TNT Sports. The bluntness of his words spoke volumes.

Photo: IMAGO

Confidence and Body Language Under the Spotlight

The discussion around Nunez is no longer just about his finishing ability—it’s about his mentality. His immediate reaction to the miss drew as much attention as the squandered chance itself. Instead of dusting himself off and continuing to contribute, his body language suggested he was consumed by disappointment.

This is where the problem lies. Nunez has missed big chances before, but in the past, he had the resilience to shake them off and keep pushing forward. Against Villa, that wasn’t the case. His demeanour changed, his pressing intensity dropped, and he appeared to lose belief in himself.

Slot acknowledged this in his press conference on Thursday morning, making it clear that his issue was not with the missed chance itself, but with how Nunez responded to it:

That’s the real concern for Liverpool’s coaching staff. A striker missing chances is nothing new—Diogo Jota also wasted a golden opportunity in the same game—but letting it impact the rest of his performance is a different issue entirely.

What Next for Nunez?

With Liverpool still fighting for silverware, there remains an opportunity for Nunez to prove his worth. Fans will remember his game-winning brace off the bench against Brentford not long ago—proof that he has the ability to make an impact when it matters. But these frustrating moments, the inconsistency, and the lack of confidence are starting to overshadow those flashes of brilliance.

Photo: IMAGO

Slot’s willingness to discuss Nunez so openly suggests that the club is running out of patience. The Uruguayan remains a player with enormous potential, but Liverpool’s standards are high, and if he continues to falter in decisive moments, a summer exit looks increasingly likely.

Reports indicate that the Reds are already considering their options, and as Anfield Watch revealed exclusively, the club will be looking to offload Nunez at the end of the season.

For now, his future remains uncertain, but what is clear is that these upcoming weeks will be pivotal. If Nunez wants to remain at Liverpool, he needs to prove that he can handle the pressure, bounce back from disappointment, and deliver when it matters. Otherwise, his time at Anfield may well be coming to an end.