Arne Slot's rare public outburst offers big hint at Liverpool's statement summer signing
Liverpool are expected to go big in the summer transfer window after keeping their powder dry during the winter.
And after Wednesday's 2-2 draw at Aston Villa, manager Arne Slot offered a big hint at where a bulk of the money could be spent. The Dutchman was fuming at substitute Darwin Nunez for sulking after he missed a gilt-edged chance.
And in a rare instance of going completely off-script, Slot made his feelings perfectly clear. "Players miss chances. That, I can accept," he said. "But what was harder to accept was his behaviour after that chance. It got too much in his head where he wasn’t the usual Darwin that works hard and makes sure he helps the team.
"I will tell him, 'you can miss a chance, but you cannot miss out on work rate'. It’s part of the job of a No. 9 that you sometimes miss when people expect you to score, but it is not part of the job to slow down the work rate, and that is something we will talk about."
Nunez has been hit and miss since Jurgen Klopp's Liverpool spent £85million to sign him from Benfica in 2022. Under Slot, the Uruguayan is having his worst season yet, netting just six times in 35 games across all competitions.
The manager has often experimented with winger Luis Diaz up front instead of playing Nunez, while Diogo Jota remains the first-choice option when fit.
Multiple factors point towards Liverpool reshuffling their centre-forward ranks at the end of the season. A handsome fee could still be recouped for the misfiring Nunez, who is only 25, and the market will be crammed with options.
Alexander Isak is at the top of virtually every club's wish list. With 54 goals in 96 games for Newcastle United, the Swede is as close as you can get to a guarnteed hit at Premier League level, although the Magpies have reportedly pinned him with a £150m price tag.
Alternatives would save the Reds cash but come with an element of risk. Top teams will be in the market for Wolves striker Matheus Cunha in the summer, and the Brazilian has a £62.5m release clause written into his contract.
Cunha has contributed to 16 Premier League goals this season (12 goals, four assists), and his profile is not dissimilar from that of Roberto Firmino, who enjoyed success as the spearhead of Liverpool's attack between 2015 and 2023.
Napoli striker Victor Osimhen, who is on loan at Galatasaray, is believed to be attainable for only £62m this summer, while Sporting goal machine Viktor Gyokeres could be available at a similar price.
Elsewhere, Slot may have one eye on the prospect of reuniting with Santiago Gimenez. The Mexican could not stop scoring under the Liverpool boss when he was in charge of Feyenoord, but the prospect of luring him away from AC Milan so soon after signing appear slim.
.jpg)
