Liverpool’s Darwin Nunez stresses ‘resilience’ after criticism of his form

Liverpool striker Darwin Nunez has responded to more criticism of his form with a message of resilience.

The Uruguay international cut a frustrated figure in Tuesday’s 1-0 Champions League win in Girona with another ineffectual performance leading the line.

Nunez has scored only one goal in his last 10 appearances and managed only three all season – fewer than Diogo Jota, who has missed the last 11 matches with a chest injury.

Jota’s imminent return puts the 25-year-old’s position in jeopardy, with even left-winger Luis Diaz being employed centrally on occasions, and sections of the fan-base are beginning to question the potential £85million club-record signing’s value to the team after 36 goals in 115 appearances over two and a half years.

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In what appeared a response to the criticism, the Uruguayan wrote on an Instagram story: “They are not all, they are some. Thank you Reds for your support, we are all still together.”

In a separate post he just wrote the word “Resiliencia” (Resilience).

On X he wrote: “Together we stand, ready for what’s next!”

Head coach Arne Slot arrived with a reputation for improving players and, while his record of 19 wins, one draw and one defeat in 22 matches – guiding the team to top of the Premier League and Champions League standings – has reflected that, Nunez’s performances remain the outlier.

He has made 11 starts and eight substitute appearances but his numbers are well down on the same stage last season (seven goals) and he appears to have lost a lot of the spontaneity and individualism – or chaos as the fans liked to call it – from Jurgen Klopp’s final season.

That is likely be part due to Slot’s change of style, which is more composed and possession-based, but even when he is getting chances he looks low on confidence.

“He missed a few chances, then it’s always the question: does this have anything to do with low confidence or is this a situation where he’s in at the moment?,” Slot said.

“I think every striker all around the world has periods where every ball goes in, and sometimes he has a period where you try so hard but you’re not able to score.

“I would have loved to see Darwin score because I think every striker wants to score (and) needs goals – that’s why I kept him in for quite a long time. He was a threat but unfortunately he couldn’t score.”