Liverpool manager Arne Slot has publicly expressed his frustration with striker Darwin Núñez—not just for missing a golden opportunity against Aston Villa but for his subsequent drop in work rate.

In a thrilling 2-2 draw at Villa Park, Núñez had the chance to seal all three points for the Reds but squandered an open-goal opportunity late in the game. While missed chances are part of football, Slot made it clear that what disappointed him most was the Uruguayan’s reaction afterward.

"I Can Accept Misses, But Not That Attitude" – Slot

Speaking after the game, Slot acknowledged that strikers will always miss chances, but he expects more resilience from his No. 9.

"I will tell him that you can miss a chance, but you cannot miss out on work rate," Slot stated. "That is the life of a striker—you miss when people expect you to score. I can accept that. But what is harder for me to accept is his behavior after the chance. It got too much in his head. He was not the usual Darwin who works his ass off and helps the team."

Slot’s comments suggest a growing concern over Núñez’s mental strength under pressure. While the 24-year-old has shown flashes of brilliance, inconsistency remains a major talking point in his Liverpool career.

Núñez’s Struggles: A Bigger Problem for Liverpool?

This isn’t the first time Núñez has been in the spotlight for missed chances. Since arriving at Anfield for a hefty transfer fee, he has divided opinions. On one hand, he possesses raw pace, aggression, and an eye for goal. On the other, his finishing remains unpredictable, and his confidence seems fragile.

The frustration is understandable—Núñez has produced crucial goals for Liverpool, including against Brentford and Aston Villa earlier this season. However, Slot’s comments highlight a key issue: resilience. A top striker must shake off setbacks and continue fighting for the team. If Núñez allows misses to dictate his performances, it could prove costly in Liverpool’s title push.

What’s Next for Núñez?

For Núñez, the message from his manager is clear—misses happen, but effort should never drop. With Liverpool still fighting for a strong finish in the league, Slot will demand a response from his striker in the upcoming fixtures.

This could be a defining moment in Núñez’s Liverpool career. Can he prove his critics wrong by bouncing back stronger, or will he allow self-doubt to creep in? Only time will tell. But one thing is certain—Arne Slot won’t tolerate a lack of effort, no matter how many goals a player has scored.