There has been a lot of talk around Darwin Nunez following Liverpool’s draw with Aston Villa.
The Reds came from behind to draw 2-2 with Unai Emery’s side but will have felt that they could have won the contest at Villa Park.
The best chance to achieve that fell to Nunez in the second half but the Uruguayan star would miss an empty net after having the opportunity laid on a plate for him by Dominik Szoboszlai.
Some Liverpool fans were furious with Nunez after the full-time whistle as the striker’s underwhelming campaign continued.
Slot had his head in his hands after Nunez’s miss and the Dutch coach has now admitted that he was disappointed with the 25-year-old’s behaviour after the setback.
- READ MORE: Jamie O’Hara comes out in defence of Darwin Nunez after Liverpool fans fume over Aston Villa video
Darwin Nunez can learn from Wataru Endo at Liverpool
After the full-time whistle, Nunez walked to the Liverpool dressing room alone as the striker’s disappointment with himself was visible.
Speaking to the press on Thursday morning ahead of Liverpool’s clash with Man City on Sunday, Slot admitted that he was not happy with Nunez’s response to the miss and that he could learn a lot from Wataru Endo.
“It’s not so much the missed chance, but his behaviour after that chance,” Slot stated. “And by that I mean he got too much in his head, that he wasn’t the usual Darwin that works his ass off and makes sure he helps the team. I think he was too disappointed after he missed that chance.
“We’ll never know but maybe that’s why he was just a fraction short afterwards. I think it’s best to have Wata’s mindset, that he keeps on going and whenever we need him he’s ready, but not many players can do this. It’s not about the chance it’s about the 20 minutes afterwards that I want to talk to him about.”
Endo is an interesting player for Slot to pick out as the Japanese star has not had a major role at Liverpool this season and many expect the midfielder to move on this summer.
The special mindset of Liverpool star Wataru Endo
Liverpool are expecting interest in Endo this summer and the feeling is that the Japan international will depart Anfield after seeing his minutes reduced this season by Slot.
Despite this, the 32-year-old has been the ultimate professional at the Merseyside club, and has stepped up every time his teammates needed him with Curtis Jones labelling Endo a ‘machine‘.
Endo was very impressive against Wolves on Sunday and stated after the contest that he doesn’t mind which position he plays in as he is just happy to be part of Liverpool’s story this season.
This is the attitude Slot expects from Nunez, who has seemed down during his last two outings, which probably comes from Diogo Jota starting ahead of him in the absence of Cody Gakpo.
Nunez can still have a major impact on Liverpool’s season throughout the remaining games but in order to do that, the 25-year-old needs to get his head back up and start performing.
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