"For me, he has an impact" - Liverpool coach Arne Slot backs struggling 25-year-old star amid exit speculation

Liverpool's manager Arne Slot has backed Darwin Nunez despite rumors of his potential exit in the upcoming transfer window. Nunez joined the Reds from Benfica for a reported €75 million in January 2022. However, he has been inconsistent and has failed to deliver as expected this season.

Slot was asked about Nunez's impact during a recent press conference and he responded (via TEAMtalk):

“For me, he has an impact. If you only look at goals, he hasn’t scored the amount of goals he wants to score – or we want our No. 9 to score, but he does have an impact on his work rate. If we lose the ball, he is then aggressive to get the ball back and still create chances.”

He added:

“He is part of a team that scores a lot of goals and is winning a lot but of course, as a No 9 you want to score more goals and that is definitely what he wants as well. But until now I am not only judging Mo [Salah] on his goals, I am not only judging Darwin on his goals.

Diogo Jota was the Reds' preferred striker at the start of the season. However, he has missed Liverpool's last 11 games due to a muscle injury. Jota's absence allowed Nunez to redeem himself in attack, who has struggled to find his form.

Slot’s latest comments could be a huge boost for Nunez ahead of a busy festive schedule. In 19 appearances this season, Nunez has only scored three goals and registered two assists.

Liverpool interested in signing Alphonso Davies next summer - Reports

FC Bayern München v 1. FC Heidenheim 1846 - Bundesliga - Source: Getty

Liverpool are looking to sign Alphonso Davies as a free agent next summer, as per The AthleticFC (via Transfer News Live on X). Davies’ contract at Bayern Munich is set to expire next summer and he's yet to sign an extension.

Liverpool wants to persuade the Canadian international to join them as a free agent. The Reds' interest in signing Davies could also be linked to the potential departure of Trent Alexander-Arnold, whose contract at Anfield expires next summer as well.

Davies is a pacey defender whose attacking intuition has proven to be outstanding in recent times. In the ongoing 2024-25 campaign, he has registered two assists in 20 games. If the deal goes through, Davies could be a decent long-term replacement for Alexander-Arnold if the Englishman decides to leave Anfield.

However, the Reds will face competition from Barcelona and Real Madrid who are also in the race to sign Davies.