Darwin Nunez Facing Uncertain Liverpool Future Amid Claims Of ‘Personal Issue’ With Arne Slot
Darwin Nunez’s journey at Liverpool appears to be entering a critical juncture, as increasing speculation mounts around his relationship with new manager Arne Slot and his role within the squad. With lingering doubts about his treatment and future, Nunez is now at the centre of a debate that could shape Liverpool’s attacking line-up for seasons to come.
The Uruguayan striker, who arrived at Anfield in the summer of 2022 for a fee potentially rising to £85m, has endured a turbulent tenure. This season, Nunez has managed just seven goals and seven assists in 42 appearances—a return many believe falls short of expectations for a marquee signing. More concerning, perhaps, is the suggestion from various quarters, including former Chelsea midfielder Gus Poyet, that Arne Slot “treats him differently” compared to his team-mates, describing the situation as a “personal problem.”
Poyet’s comments touch on a growing narrative. “He needs to make a decision this summer on whether he’s happy with his role at Liverpool or wants something different,” Poyet stated. He noted Nunez’s starring role for the Uruguayan national team, contrasting it sharply with his inconsistent starting opportunities at Liverpool: “With Liverpool he’s in and out and he gets treated differently to other players. Gakpo can go 10-15 games without a goal and it’s not a problem. Nunez, it’s always a problem. It’s difficult to deal with and it’s personal.”
This perception of preferential treatment has shed light on Liverpool’s handling of underperforming forwards. While Cody Gakpo recently went seven games without scoring, equal to his longest barren run at Liverpool, criticism towards him remains muted compared to the intense scrutiny directed at Nunez. Nunez, at one point, endured 14 games between April and September last year without finding the net, sparking intense debate around his value to the team.
The tension is made more acute by the looming summer transfer window. Reports suggest that Slot has not been convinced by Nunez, with Fabrizio Romano recently confirming that clubs in the Saudi Pro League showed interest in January and that Nunez is “expected to leave” this summer. The striker, who has started just one Premier League game since Boxing Day—despite scoring and winning a penalty in that match—now faces a crossroads in his Liverpool career.
Former Liverpool star Michael Owen has already begun theorising on possible replacements, especially with the futures of both Nunez and iconic forward Mohamed Salah in doubt. Owen commented, “If Mo Salah goes, Liverpool would look to replace him or find another attacking player, probably because I think Darwin Nunez will probably go as well... There’s lots of alternatives out there but no one can replace Mo Salah.” Names such as Alexander Isak and Antoine Semenyo have been bandied about, yet the sentiment among many is that it’s a difficult act to follow—even for big-money signings.
As the debate intensifies and rumours swirl, Nunez’s decision this summer may not only define his career trajectory but also signal a shift in Liverpool’s attacking identity under Arne Slot. For now, the Anfield faithful—and football observers everywhere—are left to ponder: is the end near for Darwin Nunez at Liverpool, or can bridges yet be rebuilt?
What do you think about Arne Slot’s handling of Nunez—and is the striker being unfairly singled out? Share your views in the comments below, and join the debate on Liverpool’s next moves in a potentially transformative summer window.
