What surprised Arne Slote most about Darwin Nunez in Liverpool’s draw with Arsenal?

Arne Slot spoke to Darwin Nunez and another impressive Liverpool player in the 2-2 draw with Arsenal at the Emirates.

LONDON, ENGLAND – OCTOBER 27: Darwin Nunez of Liverpool is hugged by Arne Slot, Liverpool manager, after the Premier League match between Arsenal and Liverpool at Emirates Stadium on October 27, 2024 in London, England. (Photo by Sean Botterill/Getty Images)

Darwin Nunez hugs Arne Slot after Liverpool’s 2-2 draw with Arsenal(Image: Sean Botterill/Getty Images)

Arne Slote admitted he was “surprised” by Darwin Nunez’s fitness levels after the Uruguayan played the full 90 minutes in Liverpool’s 2-2 draw with Arsenal. The Reds’ number nine, who has played a minor role in the campaign so far, has had a mixed start to the campaign. Diogo Jota under the slot.

However, after the Portugal international was forced off with injury against Chelsea last week, Nunez was called up from the bench and retained his place in the team against RB Leipzig and Arsenal.

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The striker scored the winner in midweek before providing the assist Mohamed Salah to level the score for Liverpool at the Emirates. But Slot said what impressed him most Sunday afternoon was Nunez’s energy level.

“(His fitness) is also the reason I kept him because if you keep going you need to be fit enough to compete,” the Reds coach said. “It almost surprised me because Darwin hasn’t played that much yet, so to play three games in a row in the tough games we’ve had, away in Europe, and to see how hard he’s worked is really nice.

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“In the first half he had to play deep, but that had less to do with the game plan and more to do with the quality of Arsenal in the first half because they dominated us without creating many chances.”

Slot also praised the defender Ibrahima Konatewho passed another impressive display against the Gunners. “For me, the one that stood out the most was Konate,” he said.

“I thought he was very good for us today as well. In my opinion, he doesn’t always get the attention he deserves. He keeps asking to become man of the match, but he is getting closer and closer to achieving this goal. I think he We had a great performance today too.”

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Asked if he had made any changes off the field to maintain Konate’s form this season, Slot added: “I wasn’t there last season so the only thing I know is that since I ended up here, these players put in a lot of effort.” on your own to stay fit, I’ve said this many times, our executive staff and medical staff are some of the best in the world and that’s okay if you are. Liverpool because this is one of the best clubs in the world.

“They must have a very good game and medical staff. But the main thing is that the players believe in it, because they have a job to do. They need to recover, they need to go in ice baths to prepare as best they can.” way, and that’s what Yibou has done for now.

“The program we gave him may have helped him a little bit too, but at the end of the day it’s always about the players. They have to make an effort to remain accessible.”