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Slot Debunks Núñez Absence Rumors Amid Liverpool Victory
Liverpool manager Arne Slot has refuted suggestions that Darwin Núñez was excluded from the squad for their Premier League victory against West Ham due to a training ground dispute with a member of his coaching staff. Slot clarified that Núñez’s absence from the 2-1 win at Anfield was due to feeling unwell during training the previous day. Despite this, the striker was present at the game, watching from behind the substitutes’ bench. This explanation comes after widespread speculation proposed that the Uruguay international, previously critiqued by Slot for his effort against Wolves and Aston Villa in February, was omitted for disciplinary reasons.
Núñez’s Unexplained Absence
Pressed on Friday to provide clarity on the situation, Slot stated: “He wasn’t feeling well the day before the match, so he went inside and consequently was unable to be part of the team the following day.” When questioned about the ambiguity of “didn’t feel himself,” Slot acknowledged, “That can mean multiple things, yes. He didn’t feel himself.”
Leicester Match and Squad Inclusion
Slot confirmed that the £85 million club-record signing would be included in the squad for Sunday’s fixture against Leicester. Liverpool’s path to the Premier League title hinges on this match, requiring a victory against Ruud van Nistelrooy’s team coupled with an Arsenal defeat at Ipswich.
Training Ground Incident Denied
Slot directly addressed queries about whether Núñez had engaged in a heated exchange with a staff member during Saturday’s training session. “No, he did not,” Slot asserted. “He left the pitch because he was unwell.” He further clarified when asked if it was due to illness: “It was because he did not have words with a staff member.”
Liverpool’s Summer Strategy: Stability and Key Player Retention
According to Slot, Liverpool’s significant summer preparations are already underway, marked by securing contract extensions for Virgil van Dijk and Mohamed Salah for the next two years. Van Dijk had previously hinted at a “big summer” for Liverpool before joining Salah in committing to new two-year deals. Slot believes that retaining these world-class talents, in agreements potentially costing Liverpool around £90 million, is a cornerstone of their strategy. He once again declined to comment on the future of Trent Alexander-Arnold, who is the only potential free agent among Liverpool’s key players yet to recommit and has reportedly received an offer from Real Madrid.
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Maintaining Team Cohesion and Controlled Evolution
“At Liverpool, there is perpetually a significant summer, and it is already underway now,” Slot remarked. “Securing these two key players already constitutes a major step. We will see what else the summer holds, but it would be strange for me to express dissatisfaction with the current team. Retaining this team would in itself be a significant achievement.”
Strategic Squad Adjustments, Not Overhaul
Liverpool are anticipated to target a central striker and a young left-back in the transfer window. However, mirroring the previous summer, Slot suggests that extensive changes are not deemed necessary for a squad that narrowly missed clinching the Premier League title.
Alexander-Arnold’s Return and Team Consistency
Slot anticipates Trent Alexander-Arnold’s return from an ankle injury for the Leicester match. He emphasized the value of team continuity, stating: “We didn’t make substantial changes last summer, and I don’t believe we regressed. Studies indicate that team longevity correlates with increased success. Maintaining the core of a team, provided they perform optimally, is beneficial. However, introducing fresh energy with one or two new players can also be advantageous. While agreeable to measured adjustments, Slot believes wholesale changes are not essential given the squad’s current quality and successful season.”