Liverpool boss Arne Slot has challenged Darwin Nunez to prove he is an elite striker as the much-maligned Uruguayan looks to take advantage of Diogo Jota’s latest injury.
Slot revealed on Monday that Jota will be sidelined for a few weeks after suffering a muscle injury in Liverpool’s draw at Nottingham Forest on January 14.
The Portugal forward’s absence has provided another opportunity for Nunez to finally prove his worth, starting with Tuesday’s Champions League tie against French team Lille at Anfield.
Nunez has struggled to win over both Slot and his predecessor Jurgen Klopp since signing from Benfica for a fee rising to a potential £85 million ($104 million) in 2022.
The 25-year-old gave a glimpse of his potency with the stoppage-time double that fired Liverpool to a dramatic 2-0 win at Brentford in the Premier League on Saturday.
But those were his first top-flight goals since November and he has scored only six times in all competitions this term.
“I don’t think it’s the first time Darwin has been in this situation when Jota has been out,” Slot told reporters on Monday.
“But he is in a good place because he scored two against Brentford. We have four strikers who are fit to start and Darwin is one of them.
“Of course, it increases the chance for Darwin to get more playing time if one is injured and especially if it’s a number nine.”
Slot admitted recently that he has found it hard to get the best out of a player heralded as one of the world’s brightest young talents when he was at Benfica.
‘A nice challenge’
Urging Nunez to show he was worthy of that hype, Slot added: “The most difficult in football is to find consistency, as a team and an individual. Only a few players are able to be at the same level every few days.
“Then there is a big group of players who can play well but not every time. He is in that group. We have one or two who are in the group of the highest standard. That is a nice challenge for him.”
Liverpool can book its place in the Champions League last 16 if it avoids defeat against Lille.
The Reds have won all six league phase matches and sit three points clear at the top of the table.
And despite a recent blip, Liverpool is six points clear at the top of the Premier League.
Brentford boss Thomas Frank labelled them the world’s best team but while he is flattered by the praise, Slot insisted it is too soon for such glowing tributes.
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“I think it’s far too early to say these things. The Champions League format is different,” he said.
“We have to face a lot of teams. Can we judge the league table in the Champions League? Very difficult. But it’s always nice to get compliments.”
Slot also said it did not matter if Liverpool finishes top of the league phase because it will not guarantee an easy last-16 opponent.
“With this strange new format, I’m not thinking (about) the league table in a way that if you finish number one you get the easiest team,” he said.
“Paris Saint-Germain is low down but has faced maybe the hardest team in each of their games. Maybe if you end number one you can face them.”