Liverpool boss Arne Slot has said he doesn’t mind Darwin Núñez missing chances like at Aston Villa, but has criticised the striker for his “behaviour” on the pitch afterwards.
Núñez spurned a huge opportunity to give Liverpool a 3-2 lead at Villa Park on Wednesday when, with an open goal, blazing his left-footed shot well over the bar.
Liverpool subsequently had to settle for a draw which has extended their Premier League lead to eight points, but gives Arsenal hope with a game in hand.
It wasn’t the first time Núñez — often benched in favour of Cody Gakpo and Diogo Jota this season — has fluffed his lines in front of goal but Slot insists he doesn’t mind the missed chances. The Dutch coach does, however, care about Núñez being his “usual” self afterwards by helping the team.
“I would prefer him to score, but the word chance says it all,” Slot said in a news conference on Thursday. “It’s a chance, so it’s not 100% sure that the ball goes in.
“And players miss chances, that I can accept. But what was a bit harder for me to accept was his behaviour after that chance, I think it got too much in his head. He wasn’t the usual Darwin that works his a– 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 he was just a fraction short.”
Slot added that Núñez should follow the example of midfielder Wataru Endo.
“The moment afterwards, I always truly believe that it’s always the best to have Watta’s mindset,” Slot said. “And what I mean with that is that for the whole season, he keeps on going, keeps on going, and whenever we need him, he’s ready.
“And that is very difficult, there are not many players that can do this. So, yeah, it’s not about the chance for me, it’s more about the 20 minutes afterwards where I want to talk to him, than about him missing a chance.”
Liverpool travel to take on Manchester City on Sunday, with Gakpo a doubt after missing the clash against Villa.
Conor Bradley will miss the game through injury, as will Joe Gomez who is sidelined for a “long time” after undergoing surgery on his hamstring.
Slot said the defender could be back “just before the end of the season.”