New Liverpool head coach Arne Slot has revealed that he has already had a conversation with Darwin Nunez ahead of the Uruguayan returning for pre-season training.
The 25-year-old striker is currently away at the Copa America in the United States. Barcelona had been tentatively linked with a transfer move for the forward, who could become Liverpool’s record signing if all the add-ons agreed with Benfica are triggered, but the Reds have no intention of cashing in on him two years after his arrival. Nunez scored 18 times last season but consistently got into good positions — he could easily have hit 30 with slightly better finishing.
Opening up on the chat that he has had with Nunez, Slot said: “I just told him that, from what I saw, he played multiple positions and what positions — or position — I see him playing. I assume he’ll fit really well into this playing style because I like him. I’ve told him that already, he’s one of the players I’ve spoken to.”
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“He might have had some struggles with finishing opportunities,” Slot continued. “But he came a lot of times into those positions. I think he could fit in really well, but it’s normal at a club like this that there are many more players who could play in his position. It’s clear for him which position he’s going to play. It’s clear for me as well and me telling him made it clear for him.”
Slot was also unafraid to voice what his aim will be at Liverpool during his debut season. “Our aim should be that we want to win and be on top of the league,” he said. “We want to be there for 38 games. But to get in that position, it takes a lot of hard work on a daily basis to come in here and improve and improve and improve and improve. That’s what we have to do.”
Liverpool.com says: Getting the most from Nunez is arguably the number one task that Slot faces this summer. If he can somehow get him to finish chances more regularly, Liverpool could easily have a 30-goal-plus striker on its hands. That would be a major boost to the Reds’ chances of winning the title and achieving his ambitions.