Darwin Nunez has given Arne Slot the decision to make and Liverpool’s future could depend on it

It was a season that started with one iconic image and ended with talk of many more being deleted from social media. And now Darwin Nunez’s eventful Liverpool career seems fraught with greater uncertainty than ever before.

For the second consecutive campaign, Nunez has found his starting opportunities limited in recent weeks after falling behind a rejuvenated Cody Gakpo in the pecking order.

Things were different last summer, when the Uruguayan’s performances during the warm-up program indicated that a corner had been turned after a solid, if unspectacular, debut campaign following his arrival from Benfica in June 2022.

End of Season Ratings:

Alisson Becker

Trent Alexander-Arnold

Ibrahima Konate

Luis Diaz

While that wasn’t enough to earn him a starting role in the opening games, Nunez made his intentions known by coming off the bench to score twice later to earn a memorable and season-shaping win at Newcastle United in August, his celebration aimed at home fans cementing his position as a favorite among Liverpool supporters.

That brace stirred before. At Christmas, he was the first-choice centre-forward and scored seven goals and as many assists. And the next few months were even more lucrative with 16 goal contributions, the highlight of which was his dramatic late winner at Nottingham Forest in March.

Nunez’s season, however, had already taken a step back. The injury after scoring a superb goal at Brentford eventually ruled him out of the League Cup final and caused foul trouble for weeks afterwards. He wasn’t as sharp after losing his momentum and pace.

And missed chances in disappointing outings at Manchester United and Everton in April, when Liverpool’s title race faltered, caused uproar in the stands and abuse on social media, prompting Nunez to delete almost every Liverpool-related image since on his Instagram account in response. The fact that the Uruguayan’s curious body language as he left Klopp’s guard of honor was noted by supporters also did him no favors and prompted talk of discontent at Liverpool, which subsequently persisted, although his latest comments Nunez effectively ended these discussions.

A new boss, however, can represent a new beginning. And the priority for head coach Arne Slot will be what position Nunez should play. Deployed on both the left and through the middle during his first season, the 24-year-old has started just twice on the wing this season, one of which was a switch to a central position in the second half when he scored from twice at Bournemouth.

The Copa America will either rejuvenate Nunez for the new season at Liverpool or provide a showcase for his eventual sale. Either way, figuring out how to get the best out of the Uruguayan will be key for Slot this summer. However, it will be intriguing to see Liverpool’s response should a big-money bid come in during the transfer window.

Rating at the end of the season: 6