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Liverpool manager Arne Slot has condemned striker Darwin Nunez’s behaviour after Liverpool missed the opportunity against Aston Villa in the Premier league (PL) 2024-25 game at the Villa Park on February 19. Nunez kicked the ball from seven yards away despite getting an easy goal-scoring chance in front of him. Dominic Szoboszlai made a massive effort to drag Emiliano Martinez out of position to pass the ball to the striker. The miss cost Liverpool as they failed to add two more points to their name on the points tally. However, Liverpool are still at the top of the table with 18 wins in 26 matches but they have played one extra game as compared to other sides.
Nunez’s blunder irked Slot as he raised the matter with the striker on the ground after the match. "I can accept every miss especially from a player who scored two important goals against Brentford. What is harder for me to accept is the behaviour after that chance. It was not the usual Darwin who works his arse off. He was too disappointed at missing that chance,” said Slot on Nunez’s behaviour. Nunez’s miss is termed one of the worst by former England player Robbie Fowler. He advised Nunez to go back to the basics and elevate his confidence after the disappointing match.
“He doesn't think about the game enough. If you're struggling for confidence, you have to go back to basics. Play the simple things, the simplicity of being a footballer and what got you in this position. It's a really bad miss, probably up there with one of the worst we've seen this year!,” remarked the 49-year-old.
Liverpool will take on Manchester City in their next encounter
Liverpool will be expected to forget their previous game to square off with Manchester City confidently on February 23. In this season, the Reds have tasted success against the defending champions. Back in December 2024, Liverpool clinched a convincing 2-0 win against the City.
This time, Slot will want his men to replicate their previous performance. City are in the fourth spot on the points table with 13 victories and seven losses in 25 matches. They have earned 44 points so far, which exhibits the gap of 17 points between both teams.
