Liverpool 'not happy' with expensive underperforming star, who has failed to adapt to Arne Slot's 'slower' style

Arne Slot head coach of Liverpool during the Premier League match between Liverpool FC and Manchester City FC at Anfield on December 01, 2024 in Liverpool, England.
Liverpool manager Arne Slot (Image credit: Andrew Powell/Liverpool FC via Getty Images)

Liverpool are reportedly not happy with one of their recent expensive signings, who has underperformed after failing to adapt to Arne Slot's style of play.

While Mohamed Salah and Luis Diaz are both thriving in attack under the Dutch manager at Liverpool, others have struggled. That hasn't had too much of a negative impact on their season so far, with the Reds still competing in all four competitions and sitting comfortably at the top of both the Premier League and Champions League tables.

For Jamie Carragher, though, there's a trend of sides in England's top flight unhappy with their current centre-forward options, with Liverpool unconvinced by Darwin Nunez.

Liverpool 'unhappy' with Darwin Nunez

Liverpool squad for 2024/25 LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND - AUGUST 25: Darwin Nunez of Liverpool in action during the Premier League match between Liverpool FC and Brentford FC at Anfield on August 25, 2024 in Liverpool, England. (Photo by Michael Regan/Getty Images)

Nunez has struggled under Slot this term (Image credit: Getty Images)

“If you go through the Premier League, Liverpool are not happy with their striker, probably Darwin Nunez. I know Jota, we love Jota, but he is not fit and not the first choice,” Carragher said while speaking on Stick to Football, brought to you by Sky Bet.

"If you go through the Premier League, Liverpool aren’t happy with their strikers and Arsenal aren’t happy with their strikers. I’m not sure if Chelsea or Manchester United are happy with their strikers either. My point being, I don’t think this is an era of spending £80m and being guaranteed a top striker. There isn’t one that everyone goes to."

Sky Sports pundit Jamie Carragher speaks about Liverpool striker Darwin Nunez

Carragher has had his say on Darwin Nunez (Image credit: Getty Images)

Carragher continued, suggesting that Slot's more measured style of football has been a hinderance for Nunez, who has failed to adapt to the slower build-up.

“Under Jurgen Klopp, Darwin Nunez was alright," Carragher said. "He wasn’t great, but he was okay because of the mad football they played, with loads of pace and plenty of shots.

"However, under Arne Slot, the play is much slower, which doesn’t suit him, so he’s almost just standing there.”

Nunez has scored just four goals in 26 appearances in all competitions for the Reds this season, an especially poor return considering he cost £85m in the summer of 2022. He's fallen down the pecking order at Anfield as a result, with Luis Diaz preferred as a false nine.

Ryan Dabbs
Staff writer

Ryan is a staff writer for FourFourTwo, joining the team full-time in October 2022. He first joined Future in December 2020, working across FourFourTwo, Golf Monthly, Rugby World and Advnture's websites, before eventually earning himself a position with FourFourTwo permanently. After graduating from Cardiff University with a degree in Journalism and Communications, Ryan earned a NCTJ qualification to further develop as a writer while a Trainee News Writer at Future.