Liverpool boss Arne Slott has admitted he has struggled to find a way to maximize striker Darwin Nunez's mid-rise. spec about his future at Anfield.
An £85million signing in the summer of 2022, Nunez has struggled to hold down a permanent role in Slott's line-up, starting just seven times in the Premier League this season and scoring four goals in 26 appearances in all competitions.
Reports have linked Nunez with a move away from Liverpoolwith Al Hilal and even Manchester United thought to test the Reds' resolveand Slot has now confessed that the 25-year-old is not a natural for his preferred style of play.
“Darwin is a striker that we have to use in a certain way and we still haven't been able to get the best out of him this season,” Slott said.
“Against Accrington Stanley again you saw he has a lot of pace but, unfortunately for him, most teams sit a lot against us. If you look back at the goals he scored for us, I remember the one against (Aston) Villa, when he rounded the keeper on a quick break, that's his main strength.
“He has other qualities, but we are still working on putting him in the best possible positions against a low block. That includes the right timing, the right crosses, the right position to launch and make the right run.”
Slott, however, defended Nunez's overwhelming return in front of goal by arguing that teams defend in greater numbers against Liverpool than against other opponents.
“The way teams protect our No. 9 is something you have to give them credit for,” Slott said. “It's never: 'Here Darwin, you can score'. Every time we put in a cross, I see a defender on it. I see it, the referees unfortunately don't.
“For us, in general, it's more difficult to score against a team like (Nottingham) Forest because every time we had a chance they had six, seven, eight, nine or ten players standing in the 18-yard box.
“And one time (Chris) Wood had a chance he was there almost by himself. We weren't really close to the ball. They only had one chance, we had 15. But with the 15 we had, there was always someone close to the ball or on it all one of our players will score his goals already.