Liverpool boss criticises Nunez ‘behaviour’ after lacking large likelihood towards Aston Villa
Arne Slot believes Darwin Nunez allowed his obtrusive miss to have an effect on him an excessive amount of within the 2-2 with Aston Villa and mentioned his aspect have “missed too many probabilities” this season.
The Reds didn’t take the chance to increase their Premier League result in 10 factors within the draw at Villa Park however issues might have been a lot completely different had the Uruguayan taken a golden alternative shortly after approaching for Diogo Jota within the second half.
After being fed by way of by Domink Szobozlai with a lot of the objective to purpose at, Nunez was unable to maintain his shot down as Liverpool dropped extra factors within the title race.
Darwin Nunez misses a golden alternative to place Liverpool forward 😬
📺 @tntsports & @discoveryplusUK pic.twitter.com/8f0rFedPHs
— Soccer on TNT Sports activities (@footballontnt) February 19, 2025
However slightly than critise the 25-year-old for that likelihood, Slot was extra involved with the unfavorable impact the ahead allowed it ot have on the remainder of his substitute apearance.
Forward of Sunday’s essential recreation towards Manchester Metropolis, the Liverpool boss mentioned: “I can settle for each miss, particularly from a participant that has scored two crucial objectives towards Brentford.
“Within the recreation towards Villa, I would like him to attain, however the phrase ‘likelihood’ says all of it – it’s a ‘likelihood. It’s not 100% certain that the ball goes in.
“However what was a bit more durable for me to simply accept was his behaviour after that likelihood. And by ‘behaviour’ I imply I believe it acquired an excessive amount of in his head and he wasn’t the standard Darwin that works his *** off and makes certain he helps the staff.
“I believe he was too upset after lacking that likelihood.”
Slot: Be extra like Endo
Slot pointed to the perspective of midfielder Wataru Endo as somehting Nunez ought to attempt to emulate shifting ahead.
“I at all times actually imagine it’s one of the best to have Wataru Endo’s mindset,” the Dutch supervisor added. “And what I imply by that’s for the entire season he simply retains on going, retains on going and each time we’d like him, he’s prepared.
“And that’s tough as a result of there are usually not many gamers that may do that. So it’s not in regards to the likelihood for me, it’s extra in regards to the 20 minutes afterwards that I need to discuss to him about than about him lacking an opportunity.”
Slot: ‘We’ve missed too many probabilities’
Arsenal play a day earlier on Saturday towards West Ham and ramp up the stress by closing the hole to 5 factors forward of Liverpool’s journey to the Etihad.
Slot added: “Sadly, too many occasions this season we now have missed probabilities. And what I imply by that’s I don’t suppose we’ve stolen many factors. I at all times come again to the Chelsea recreation when possibly a draw was possibly a extra truthful outcome.
“However for each different recreation I believe we acquired what we deserved, or we deserved extra – and that’s extra of a factor for me than Arsenal enjoying on Saturday and we on Sunday.”
Sunday’s opponents Metropolis have been additionally in motion Wednesday night time as a 3-1 defeat at Actual Madrid as they crashed out of the Champions League with a 6-3 mixture loss.
It was the newest poor end in an underwhelming season for Metropolis which has them mendacity 17 factors behind Liverpool in fourth within the Premier League, however Slot is aware of his aspect will nonetheless be in for an enormous problem on the Etihad.
The 46-year-old added: “What I at all times count on from Metropolis since Pep [Guardiola] is there’s a nice soccer staff that may play so properly. They’ve had possibly one or two months for the reason that seven or eight years he’s there now that possibly weren’t one of the best – partly due to accidents as properly.
“They’ve signed three or 4 gamers and I can see them coming again already in case you have a look at the outcome towards Newcastle. What you count on is what everybody expects in case you go to the Etihad in case you play towards Metropolis.
“It’s a must to undergo as properly and work actually laborious to maintain them away out of your objective as a result of they’re so, so good in possession. However they face a robust staff as properly that haven’t misplaced in 22 video games now.”
Trent will get us stage 🎯 #AVLLIV pic.twitter.com/IDerXPnOmA
— Liverpool FC (@LFC) February 20, 2025
Staff information: Gakpo assessed forward of Metropolis, Bradley and Gomez out
Slot mentioned “we’ll see” when requested in regards to the health of Cody Gakpo after the Dutch ahead missed final Sunday’s win over Wolves and the draw at Villa, including it could be a “shut name” whether or not he can be concerned on the Etihad.
The Liverpool boss additionally mentioned he doesn’t count on right-back Conor Bradley to make the Metropolis recreation or the midweek conflict with Newcastle.
Fellow Joe Gomez has simply had surgical procedure on a hamstring however Slot shouldn’t be ruling out the possiblity of the Englishman returning earlier than the top of the season.
