Liverpool maintained their perfect return to the UEFA Champions League on Wednesday night with a 2-0 win over Bologna at Anfield.
Arne Slot also has Liverpool top of the Premier League and a number of Liverpool players have stepped up their game under the new head coach.
Luis Diaz and Ryan Gravenberch have excelled this season and both have nailed down places in Slot’s starting XI, which rarely changes.
There are a few Liverpool players who have not been able to cement themselves in Slot’s plans however and one of these players got another chance to prove himself against Bologna.
READ MORE: Gary Neville is always proven wrong about Liverpool and Arne Slot can do it again
Darwin Nunez returns to the starting XI
For only the second time under Slot, Nunez found himself in the starting XI as Liverpool hosted Bologna but, unlike in his first start, the Uruguayan did not impress.
Against Bournemouth in the Premier League Nunez had proven some of his doubters wrong by scoring a wonderful goal and showing he has a lot to offer this side.
The same cannot be said for Nunez’s performance against Bologna, which left fans and commentators wanting more from the forward.
During the match Liverpool legend Steve McManaman, who was on commentary for TNT Sports, gave his thoughts on what Nunez needs to do to improve at Liverpool.
“[Nunez] needs to score goals that goes without saying but his overall play, his hold-up play, bringing other people into the game, that has to improve.
“When the ball goes up to him, he needs to control it, he needs it to stick he needs to pass the ball to a fellow teammate in red that’s all you can do.
“Once the ball comes into the danger area you need to get on the end of it and score four out of five instead of two out of five it is as simple as that. It has always been the case playing centre forward for Liverpool.”
Nunez’s place in the team
Despite some mixed performances, Diogo Jota seems to be the preferred option through the middle for Arne Slot and that looks unlikely to change unless Nunez steps up his game.
Cody Gakpo has been in great form this season and has provided fierce competition for Luis Diaz in the left-wing position but it doesn’t look like Slot wants to play his countryman through the middle.
This means there is a place for Nunez in the team, even if it is just as the backup centre forward, but for some this won’t be enough.
Nunez represented a large outlay from the club when he signed in 2022 and many supporters will feel like the striker still hasn’t lived up to his price tag.
Slot’s time at Anfield is only just beginning, and he has plenty of time to develop Darwin Nunez, but supporters will want to see improvement from the Uruguayan if he is to nail down a place in the starting XI.
Liverpool legend tells Nunez EXACTLY what he needs to do to improve8 seconds ago
Gary Neville is ALWAYS proven wrong about Liverpool and Arne Slot can do it again55 mins ago
Why Trent Alexander-Arnold leaving Liverpool isn’t a big deal2 hours ago
