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Liverpool boss Slot urges Nunez to improve his 'mindset' after Villa miss

football20 February 2025 14:30| © AFP
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Darwin Nunez © Gallo Images

Liverpool manager Arne Slot will talk to Darwin Nunez about his attitude after accusing the striker of letting a costly miss at Aston Villa affect his effort levels in the rest of the game.

The Reds failed to go 10 points clear of second-placed Arsenal at the top of the Premier League table as Wednesday's trip to Villa Park ended in a frantic 2-2 draw.

Villa had chances to win the game late on but Nunez's failure to seal the win for league leaders Liverpool was especially glaring, the Uruguay international missing an open goal after being played in by Dominik Szoboszlai.

Slot's frustration on the night was still evident on Thursday when he held a pre-match press conference ahead of this weekend's clash with Manchester City.

"I can accept every miss, especially from a player that has scored two very important goals against Brentford, that scores for us in the home game against Villa," said Slot.

"I would prefer him to score, but the word 'chance' says it all. It's a chance, so it's not 100 per cent sure that the ball goes in and players miss chances."

But the Dutch boss, in his first season as Liverpool manager, was concerned by Nunez's reaction.

"What was a bit harder for me to accept was his behaviour after that chance," said Slot.

"With behaviour, I mean, I think it got too much in his head, where he wasn't the usual Darwin that works his ass off and makes sure he helps the team.

"I think he was too disappointed after missing that chance and maybe –- we will never know, we will never find out – that's why (his attitude) was just a fraction short the moment afterwards."

Slot added: "I always truly believe that it's always the best to have Wata's (Wataru Endo) mindset. What I mean with that is that for the whole season he doesn’t stop playing, keeps on going, keeps on going, keeps on going and whenever we need him he’s ready."

The Liverpool manager contrasted that approach with Nunez's reaction at Villa Park, saying: "It's not about (missing) the chance. But it's not part of the job of a No 9 then to slow down in work rate and that is something we will talk about."

Following the match, Nunez posted on X: "I wasn't the best three weeks ago, and I'm not the worst now. If I fall, I get up. You'll never see me give up. I'm going to give it my all until the last day I'm here in Liverpool. Resilience!"

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