Arne Slot's Harsh Criticism, Will Darwin Nunez Stay at Liverpool?

Criticizing players openly with harsh words in front of the media is not typical behavior for Arne Slot. The Liverpool manager could no longer hide his frustration with Darwin Nunez's behavior after failing to convert a chance against Aston Villa. Several analysts predict that Nunez is edging closer to the exit door from Liverpool.

It was not Nunez's failure to score a goal that frustrated Slot. Rather, Slot regretted Nunez's behavior, as he suddenly lost his spirit and excessively lamented after failing to score into an empty net.

He's not your average Darwin who works hard and makes sure he helps the team.

After that moment of failure, Nunez suddenly became self-conscious. He lost his enthusiasm for playing. His performance declined, managing only 10 ball touches in 22 minutes. He also completed just two passes, won one out of five duels, and lost possession five times.

"What I find somewhat difficult to accept is his behavior after that opportunity, and what I mean by behavior is that I think it (the failure to score) affected his mindset too much. He was not the usual Darwin who works hard and ensures he helps the team. I think he was too disappointed after missing that chance and maybe, we will never know, that’s why he was just slightly off afterward," said Slot.

Through that statement, Slot wanted to say that a striker may lose the chance to score goals many times. However, what is more important is that he must not lose his spirit.

According to Slot, the risk of being a striker is carrying extraordinary expectations from supporters regarding goal scoring. However, a striker should not then lose his spirit and decrease his performance.

Slot rarely criticizes his players' performance in front of the media. As an experienced manager, Slot understands that criticizing players openly can backfire. Sports Psychologist Abrahams, who worked with Slot when he was still in charge of Feyenoord, said that Slot is a manager who always pays attention to word choice and sentence rhythm.

However, Slot can be very tough when things don't go his way. Even in such conditions, according to Slot's close relatives, he can still choose a positive tone and words to boost the spirits of the players.

With that, Slot's criticism of Nunez is considered something out of the ordinary. Moreover, he compared Nunez to Wataru Endo's work ethic. Slot considered Endo to be a good example of where a player is always ready and able to play well when needed.

Based on that, several experts considered Slot's open criticism as an implied message that Nunez would not be included in his scheme. After the match against Aston Villa which ended in a 2-2 draw, Liverpool will face a tough test by visiting Manchester City's headquarters this weekend.

The Athletic journalist, James Pearce, who follows Liverpool issues, assessed that Slot had the option to defend Nunez, instead of criticizing his attitude. However, Slot did not take that option. This also sparked speculation that Nunez's third season defending Liverpool would be his last.

Since arriving from Benfica, Nunez has struggled to adapt. During three seasons at Liverpool, Nunez has made 131 appearances, scoring 39 goals and providing 22 assists.

The number is quite far compared to his performance during two seasons at Benfica. In 85 appearances with Benfica, Nunez scored 48 goals and 16 assists. His image as a prolific goal scorer immediately collapsed at Liverpool. Not only when playing against Villa, Nunez was often jeered for wasting too many golden opportunities while wearing the Liverpool uniform.

After his poor performance, Nunez was linked with a move to the Saudi Pro League. Several clubs were reportedly interested in using his services. Nunez's contract with Liverpool still has until 2028, which is why Liverpool could make a big profit from the sale of Nunez.

However, Nunez has insisted that he still wants to stay at Liverpool. Through a post on his personal social media, Nunez admitted that his performance has not been good in the last three weeks.

"If I fall, I will get up. You will not see me give up. I will give everything I can until the last day at Liverpool," said Nunez.

The upbeat post is certainly good for boosting Nunez's confidence amidst the criticism that has hit him. However, it would be even better if he immediately translated the words into impressive performances on the field.