Darwin Nunez's 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 Arne Slot's men on course for the title.

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.

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Loud chants emerged from the Liverpool end, with the Merseysiders' supporters belting out his name in unison, shouting: "Nunez!

Nunez!" with scattered applause.

The £85million man appeared to appreciate their gesture, waving and clapping the fans before pointing to the Liverpool 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.

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.

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."


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