Liverpool need to pick themselves up and bounce back to winning ways in the Premier League after another draw in midweek.
The Reds have been stumbling a little of late, with a 2-2 stalemate with Aston Villa the latest instalment of points being dropped.
One man who will be more desperate than most to put things right is Darwin Nunez, who had a torrid time at Villa Park.
Nunez missed an open goal with the score at 2-2 and was called out by head coach Arne Slot on Thursday for a perceived lack of effort against Villa.
Nunez issued a response on social media where the Uruguayan vowed to ‘fight to the last day’ at Liverpool, which is exactly the kind of attitude Slot will have been looking for.
And as he aims to pick his No.9’s chin off the floor, the Liverpool head coach has reportedly been working on something behind closed doors with Nunez.
Arne Slot pushing to improve Darwin Nunez
Slot has always backed Nunez publicly even when the 25-year-old has not been firing under his leadeship.
Nevertheless, Slot’s admission that Nunez was not himself on Wednesday was a clear message that he expects better moving forward.
And according to The Daily Mail, Slot has been doing what he can to ensure that happens.
They claim that the Dutch coach has been ‘investing a lot of time’ at the Liverpool training ground to try and improve Nunez’s all-round game.
It is also reported that insiders at Liverpool have been pleased by the Uruguay international as a hard-worker in training, despite ‘outside perceptions.’
Nunez is said to be desperate to live up to his potential and is working hard to right the ship.
Small signs that Slot work is paying off
Obviously, you cannot legislate for Nunez missing chances like the one against Villa on Wednesday.
The former Benfica man has to hit the target and it is far from being the first time he has spurned such a glorious opening.
Nevertheless, although his goal-scoring has been poor this season, there have been some signs recently that the penny is starting to drop for Nunez.
The striker put in a good shift against Tottenham at Anfield, for example, becoming a creative influence and a figurehead through the middle of the Liverpool attack.
But far too often Nunez has not showcased this side to his game, and Wednesday was a real low point in that respect. Slot will no doubt keep trying, but time is surely running out for Darwin.
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