Liverpool manager Arne Slot has backed striker Darwin Nunez ahead of their game against Fulham tomorrow, writes Holly Crebbin at the AXA Training Centre.
The Uruguayan striker has been under fire as his goalscoring struggles continue, having found the net just twice so far this season in the Premier league.
Slot insisted that Nunez isn’t judged solely on his goalscoring, but on his work rate and contribution to the Reds’ impeccable form that sees them top of the Premier League and Champions League.
Slot said: “He (Nunez) hasn’t scored the amount of goals he wants to, or that we want him to. But he does have an impact as he is aggressive off the ball. He is part of a team that scores a lot of goals and who are winning a lot.
“Of course, he wants to score more goals. I’m not only judging on goals, it is on the work rate and what they bring to the team and that has been positive up until now.”
Nunez could find his position in the squad under increasing pressure as key players are set to return to the squad.
Slot revealed that Portuguese forward Diogo Jota is fit and could make his return to the squad at Anfield tomorrow following a two-month absence.
Federico Chiesa is also in his way back to full fitness after illness delayed his return from injury last week.
The Dutchman conceded, however, that the Italian winger will need playing time to build up his fitness following a series of injuries since mocing from Juventus in the summer.
Slot said: “The problem is if you haven’t played for five or six months, it’s sometimes hard as a manager to give him playing time because you don’t know what to expect.
“We know his quality, but he needs to get his match fitness. If you are competing for the league and Champions League, it can be hard to find these playing minutes.”
Goalkeeper Alisson made his return on Tuesday in the 1-0 Champions League win at Girona. The number one was called into action a number of times as the Reds were uncharacteristically open at the back.
Slot admitted he was surprised at the lack of energy in his side following their unexpected gap between fixtures after the postponed Merseyside derby, and he hopes that Alisson won’t be so busy in the upcoming fixtures.
He said: “If we hadn’t conceded the amount of chances we did, then I would have had more positives about it. We relied on our goalkeeper.
“A few positives were the amount of shots we blocked, and there was better defending in moments than against Newcastle.”
Slot spoke highly of his London opponents ahead of Saturday’s game, praising their fast-paced attacking force and defensive structure.
He said: “‘They are very well organised and structured. They are able to defend really strong, and always have the threat of the counterattack because of their fast players upfront.”
Marco Silva’s side have their own injury concerns, with a number of key players ruled out as they head into the intense Christmas period.
