Slot: Liverpool Starting to Benefit from a True Striker
Liverpool manager Arne Slot believes his team is finally making better use of Darwin Núñez’s abilities after learning a more effective way to play with a true striker.
According to the British news agency PA Media, the Uruguayan international impressed with his work rate and overall contribution in Liverpool’s second-leg victory over Tottenham in the EFL Cup semifinals last Thursday, even though he didn’t get a clear scoring opportunity.
Núñez rotated with Diogo Jota in the central striker role, while winger Luis Díaz was occasionally deployed as a false nine.
Jota is expected to start against Plymouth in the FA Cup, as he needs more playing time after coming on as a substitute against Tottenham following a four-match injury absence. He was also an unused substitute against Bournemouth.
Núñez’s strong performances offer hope that he has a long-term future at the club. Slot believes this is due to a better understanding of what he wants from his striker.
“In general, I think we’ve used the central striker better than we did at the start of the season,” Slot said.
“This is a positive result of playing more games, training together more often, and having more meetings – you can emphasize these things much more.”
“I think at the start of the season, we relied more on the wingers, but now I see that we’re starting to use our central striker more effectively in the situations where we should be using him.”
“As a result, these players are now in promising positions, and they have the same quality as our wingers.”
“So, if you put Jota in a good position, or if Díaz or Darwin play in that role, they will give us what we expect – goals and assists.”
