Arne Slot denies claims Darwin Nunez was dropped over training ground bust-up – but admits Liverpool star wasn’t injured
LIVERPOOL boss Arne Slot has hit back at rumours Darwin Nunez was dropped over a training ground bust-up.
The Reds forward watched from the stands and was not named among the substitutes for Liverpool’s win over West Ham last Sunday.
Nunez, 25, sat behind the subs bench during the 2-1 victory at Anfield.
Slot had previously criticised the Uruguayan for his work rate against Wolves and Aston Villa in February.
And speculation was rife that he had been involved in a training ground incident with a coaching staff member.
But Slot denied those claims ahead of Liverpool’s clash with Leicester on Sunday.
The Dutchman said: “He didn’t feel himself the day before the match.
“He went inside [at training] and he wasn’t able to be part of the team the day after.”
Pushed on whether Nunez had rowed with a member of the coaching staff, Slot repeated that the star “didn’t feel himself.”
He added: “No, he didn’t [have an altercation].
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“He did leave the [training] pitch because he didn’t feel himself.
“He didn’t have words with a staff member.”
Slot confirmed the £85million club record signing would be in the squad for the Leicester game.
Liverpool were boosted by Virgil van Dijk penning a new deal at the club on Thursday.
It followed Mo Salah’s decision to remain on Merseyside for another two years.
Asked about van Dijk’s influence, Slot added: “You know how important he is when you see him play.
Liverpool go Dutch
WHO'S who in the Liverpool dugout next season.
Manager Arne Slot, 45
Slot has led Feyenoord for three seasons, wining the Eredivisie title in 2023 and the KNVB Cup in 2024.
A former footballer in Holland, he is known to be a perfectionist and favours attacking football like Jurgen Klopp.
Assistant manager Sipke Hulshoff, 49
Hulshoff currently serves as Ronald Koeman’s assistant manager with the Holland national team and also works alongside Slot at Feyenoord.
He has had two spells as manager at little-known Dutch side Cambuur.
Head of performance Ruben Peeters, 31
A former fitness coach at Genk, Peeters has been working with Slot at Feyenoord since 2021.
The Belgian has a Master’s Degree in Sports Sciences.
Chief analyst Etienne Reijnen, 37
Former centre back who retired from football in 2020 to move into coaching.
In October 2023, Reijnen joined Feyenoord as assistant coach, to focus on analysing and providing technical advise to Arne Slot.
“I have not worked with a player like him in terms of leadership.
“The energy he brings, how professional he is, tries to influence his teammates.”
He continued: “At Liverpool there is always a big summer and it is already a big summer now.
“By already holding on to two it is already a big summer. Let’s see what the rest of the summer will bring, but it would be strange for me to say now I am not happy with the team.
“Maybe if we can keep that team it will already be a big summer.”