Darwin Nunez started on the bench for Liverpool but the fans showed their appreciation (Image: Getty)
absence on the pitch during Liverpool’s 2-0 win over Manchester City on Sunday didn’t stop him earning a huge ovation from the fans in the away end.
The Uruguayan didn’t get the chance to impress on the pitch as the Reds saw out a comfortable win at the Etihad Stadium to put ‘s men on course for the title. The 25-year-old was one of four unused substitutes on the bench, along with Federico Chiesa, Diogo Jota and Caoimhin Kelleher.
He may have felt downhearted about his latest snub, particularly after in midweek. But it’s clear the fans still hold Nunez in high regard after showing their support to him after the final whistle.
As Nunez and his fellow substitutes warmed down on the pitch at the final whistle, the striker received a rapturous applause from the Reds fans as he neared the touchline.
Loud chants emerged from the end, with the Merseysiders’ supporters belting out his name in unison, shouting: “Nunez! Nunez! Nunez!” with scattered applause.
The £85million man appeared to appreciate their gesture, waving and clapping the fans before pointing to the badge on his training shirt. That would have provided the ailing striker with a vital boost in confidence after rumours emerged that Slot is prepared to sell him this summer.
Nunez has scored only four goals in 21 appearances this season and Slot has generally preferred to use Luis Diaz as a central striker, despite having Nunez fit and available.
Darwin Nunez showed his appreciation to the Liverpool fans after their win vs Man City (Image: X/@asim_lfc)
The Dutchman, 46, backed him to turn things around in the coming weeks after his costly miss against Villa, although Slot refused to comment on speculation regarding his future.
“We don’t talk about these things in public,” he said when asked about transfer interest in Nunez. “He is the same player who scored two very important goals against Brentford.
“It is the life of a number nine, like it is the life of a defender or goalkeeper. Sometimes you make a mistake but the good thing about being a number nine is that you are a hero more often.
Arne Slot defended Darwin Nunez after his horror miss (Image: Getty)
“Once in a while, you miss a chance that everyone talks about. That is not a problem for me, but his reaction should have been a bit better afterwards.
“He was gutted because he felt the importance of that miss. He is a human being, but we have to learn to get better and better and better – and I hope next time he will act differently than he did.”