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Virgil van Dijk has sent words of encouragement to Darwin Nunez with the 25-year-old’s Liverpool career has hitting another turbulent patch in recent week.

The Uruguayan striker is facing mounting scrutiny over missed chances, dwindling confidence, and growing speculation about a summer departure.

Despite Liverpool rejecting a near-complete January sale to Saudi Pro League side Al-Nassr, Fabrizio Romano reports the club could revisit bids in the coming months for the £85 million forward.

Nunez’s struggles crystallized in Liverpool’s 2-2 draw at Aston Villa on February 20, when he skewed a close-range sitter hat Robbie Fowler labeled “one of the worst misses I’ve seen this year.”

The blunder cost Liverpool two critical points in the title race and left manager Arne Slot concerned about the striker’s mental state and body language/work rate in the aftermath.

The 25-year-old has managed just 6 goals and 4 assists in 29 appearances this season, with only 14 starts under Slot.

His Champions League return—one goal in seven games—and modest Premier League output (4 goals in 17 matches) has consigned Nunez to another lackluster campaign in the red shirt.

But amid all of the concern, Virgil van Dijk was quizzed on Darwin Nunez in particular in the wake of the win over Newcastle United on Wednesday evening:

“Everyone has a big role to play.

I mentioned it after Villa that everyone has a big role to play,” the Dutchman said as quoted by the Liverpool Echo.

“We are all in this together and we need everyone, and he is a big part of our team and when he comes on he has to make a positive impact.”

“Today and the rest of the boys who came on made an impact and that’s what we need to keep it going.”

Adding more on Darwin Nunez, the Liverpool skipper praised him for his work rate but stressed that was the bare minimum:

“I think that is not something for the whole squad, I think it is the bare minimum which has been asked from us from day one but I think that is the bare minimum anyway for playing for Liverpool.”

“It was more down to him and it is still down to him and I think he showed a great reaction today in his work-rate coming on?

That should be the minimum and he knows it and he has to keep it going.”

With Saudi suitors circling and Liverpool seemingly open to recouping funds, Nunez certainly seems to be one to watch in the coming summer window.

Read More: Darwin Nunez wanted by La Liga giants

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