Arne Slot confirms plan for Darwin Nunez's Liverpool future

New Liverpool manager Arne Slot has confirmed he is excited to work with under-fire forward Darwin Nunez next season.

Nunez has been linked with a move away from Anfield this summer after a frustrating season which left fans wanting more from the 25-year-old, who did manage 18 goals in all competitions but was guilty of missing a number of big chances.

In the face of the uncertainty surrounding Nunez's Liverpool future, Slot sent an emphatic message to doubters as he backed the Uruguay international to have a big impact next year.

"I assume he will fit really well into this [playing style] because I like him," Slot said. "I've told him already. He is one of the players I have spoken to. He might have had some struggles with finishing opportunities but he came a lot of times into those positions.

"I think he could fit in really well but it's normal at a club like this that there are many more players who could play in his position. It's clear for him which position he is going to play.

"It's clear for me as well and me telling him made it clear for him. I just told him that, from what I saw, he played multiple positions and what positions – or position – I see him playing."

Slot has plenty of tactical questions to answer next summer and has already received advice from a number of international bosses, including Uruguay's Marcelo Bielsa, who explained how he brings the best out of Nunez.

Netherlands manager Ronald Koeman also urged Liverpool to use Cody Gakpo as a left-winger, rather than a striker, if the Reds want to see the sort of form which has dazzled at Euro 2024, while Trent Alexander-Arnold's best position has been debated after his deployment as a central midfielder with England.

"I don't judge players by their best positions with their internationals as it is different to here," Slot told his first press conference when asked if the likes of Gakpo and Alexander-Arnold could change roles based on their international usage. "Different players. Different roles.

"I do have my opinion about where [Gakpo & Alexander-Arnold] are going to play, but I will talk to them first before saying it here!"

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