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Arne Slot has revealed his slightly surprising take on Darwin Nunez and his showing against Ston Villa

Liverpool’s 2-2 draw with Aston Villa on February 19, 2025, will be remembered more for the Uruguayan’s glaring miss than the Reds’ extended Premier League lead.

Nunez, brought on as a substitute to boost the team’s energy, instead heightened frustration by squandering a clear chance to win the game.

In the 78th minute, he failed to convert a golden opportunity created by Dominik Szoboszlai’s cutback, blasting the ball over an open goal from just seven yards out.

It was a frustrating night for the 25-year-old who also lost a footrace with Villa keeper Emi Martinez as well as wasting another big opening with a mislaid pass meant for Dominik Szoboszlai.

Now Arne Slot has responded to the miss and the Nunez performance.

What did Arne Slot say about Darwin Nunez?

Speaking in his pre-Manchester City press conference, the Dutchman revealed that it was actually harder to accept Nunez’s behavior after the big chance missed- in terms of work rate and general enthusiasm for the game:

“I can accept every miss, especially from a player who scored two very important goals against Brentford, that scored for us in the home game against Aston Villa,” Slot said

I would prefer him to score, but the word chances says it all; it’s a chance and not 100% the ball goes in.”

What is harder for me to accept is the behaviour after that chance.

It was not the usual Darwin who works his ass off.

He was too disappointed at missing,” the Reds boss explained.

Slot added that he would be speaking to the Uruguayan about it as well:

“He wasn’t the usual Darwin who works his ass off and makes sure he helps the team?

I think he was too disappointed after missing that chance and was a fraction short.

“It’s not about the chance for me, it’s about the 20 minutes after that I want to talk to him about.”

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