'He wasn't the usual Darwin Nunez' - Arne Slot holds up surprise Liverpool player as example for struggling forward to follow after disastrous display in Aston Villa draw

Substitute Nunez had a forgettable display in Liverpool's 2-2 Premier League draw at Villa on Wednesday, something the Uruguayan - who missed an open goal chance - admitted to. A day on from the match, manager Slot suggested the 25-year-old had an off day and called on him to take a leaf out of team-mate Wataru Endo's book.

He told reporters on Thursday: "I can accept every miss, especially from a player that has scored two very important goals against Brentford, that's scored for us in the home game against Villa. I would prefer him to score but the word 'chance' says it all – it's a chance, so it's not 100 per cent sure that the ball goes in. Players miss chances, that I can accept. But what was a bit harder for me to accept [was] his behaviour after that chance, and with behaviour I mean I think it got too much in his head where he wasn't the usual Darwin that works his [backside] off and makes sure he helps the team.

"I think he was too disappointed after missing that chance and maybe – we will never know, we will never find out – that's why he was just a fraction short [in] the moment afterwards. I always truly believe that it's always the best to have Wata's [Endo] mindset and what I mean with that is that for the whole season he just keeps on going, keeps on going, keeps on going and whenever we need him, he's ready. That is very difficult, there are not many players that can do this. It's not about the chance for me, it's more about the 20 minutes afterwards where I want to talk to him about than about him missing a chance."

Nunez's latest display has led an increasing number of Liverpool fans to doubt the ex-Benfica man's long-term future at the club. He has scored just six goals and bagged five assists in 35 appearances this season and it seems an Anfield exit is drawer closer.

Nunez will hope to bounce back from this underwhelming display when Liverpool take on Manchester City in the Premier League this weekend.