Arne Slot responds to rumours of bust-up with Darwin Nunez after Liverpool squad absence

Arne Slot responds to rumours of bust-up with Darwin Nunez after Liverpool squad absence

Arne Slot speaks out on rumours of a bust-up with Darwin Nunez after the Liverpool striker was left out of the squad for last week's win over West Ham United

Darwin Nunez speaks to Arne Slot before he comes on in Liverpool's dramatic Champions League win at PSG (Image: Rico Brouwer/Soccrates/Getty Images )

Arne Slot has denied rumours of a bust-up with Darwin Nunez, saying the Liverpool striker simply "didn't feel himself" on the eve of Sunday's win over West Ham United.

Nunez was not involved in the victory over the Hammers last week but was at Anfield to watch the game from behind the substitutes' bench with Trent Alexander-Arnold, who could return to the match-day squad at Leicester City on Easter Sunday after training this week.

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After the team sheet revealed Nunez's absence last week, there had been some speculation that the Uruguay international had been involved in a training-ground spat with a member of staff at the AXA Centre.

Slot, though, hinted the No.9 was simply unwell last weekend, which meant he was unable to contribute against Graham Potter's men and with the Premier League leaders potentially able to clinch the title at the King Power Stadium, should Arsenal lose away to Ipswich Town, the head coach has confirmed Nunez will be back in contention.

"No, he didn't [have a falling-out]," Slot said. "He did leave the pitch because he didn't feel himself. [He left the pitch] as in he didn't have words with a staff member.

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"He didn't feel himself the day before the match, and he went inside and he wasn't able to be part of the team the day after. That can mean multiple things, yes. He didn't feel himself.

"He definitely will be [involved on Sunday]."

Slot also insisted that he while was realistic about the prospect of becoming a Premier League champion in his first season on Merseyside, he believes the stature of the club means it should not be considered such a major surprise that his team are on the cusp of a second title in five years.

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Slot added: "You go to a club like Liverpool, where you feel there's always an opportunity. But I also like to be realistic, and realistic was the two seasons before.

"Last season, they came closer than the season before, but last season, they only had Europa League, where the starters hardly ever played.

"So we knew we had the challenge of doing well in the Premier League, combined with the Champions League, which was the season before, quite difficult.

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"But it's not like I went to a club that has never competed for the number one position. So, yeah, it's in your mind. But that's not the first thing you think of.

"Your first thing is try to play good football, win as many games as you can, and then let's see what comes from that in the league table.

"But it would be weird if I would say now, if you join Liverpool, oh, I'm completely surprised with the position we are in at the moment. Because this is not a strange position for this club to be in."

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