Arne Slot has doubled on his criticism of Darwin Nunez, insisting that the working speed of the striker has not been acceptable in his last two performances.
The Dutchman excluded the Uruguayan after the 2-2 draw of the Reds against Aston Villa last week, when he missed an open goal late in the game.
Nunez, who has not fulfilled his price tag of £ 85 million and since the arrival of Slot this period fell further in the pecking order, was an unused replacement during the victory of Liverpool over Manchester City on Sunday.
Slot has revealed that he was also disappointed about the attacker's efforts during a recent victory over wolves and that led him to make his dissatisfaction public.
“I helped him by saying that you can miss a chance,” said the Reds boss. “I wasn't just difficult for him. But for the second time in a row I was not happy with his effort, against Wolves and against Villa.
'I always try to be honest with my players and be honest as I can for you [the media] Even where I always try to protect my players, so that I don't say he never worked hard.
“I know him differently. I know him at home at Villa, where he scored a 100 m sprint and scored a goal, I know him when he came to the city at home and really pressed aggressively and wins the ball back and we score.
'But I can't accept whether a player does not give everything. That is clear. I can accept it once, but twice was a bit too much. That's why I tackled it. Not that suddenly I am very angry with him.
'I don't mind missing a chance, I loved him to score, and I know he will eventually score. But if you miss a chance, you have to fight for the team. I am not saying that he did not do that at all, but it was not the usual Darwin, the one who is loved by the fans. This is mainly because he always works so hard. '
After repeating his criticism of the 25-year-old, Slot Nunez wanted to praise for his efforts to train this week prior to the Reds collision against Newcastle in Anfield.
The Dutchman also revealed that the attacker was hit hard by his miss in Villa Park and he opened the door for a return to action in the coming weeks.
“He was still about it,” Slot added. 'As much as I want the No. 9 to be seen as hard work and do what is needed for the team, a normal no. 9 is focused on goals. I can continue to talk to him about the working speed, the working speed, the working speed, but he and every No. 9 will always be disappointed if he misses an opportunity. He was still a bit disappointed the next day.
'But yesterday [Monday] He was incredible in the training session when it comes to the working speed. Hopefully he can continue to do this, and when the team needs him, he is ready if he keeps doing sessions as he did yesterday.
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