Luis Suarez supports Liverpool forward amidst criticism from Arne Slot

Former Liverpool striker Luis Suarez has shown his support to Darwin Nunez after the Uruguayan missed a sitter in the draw at Aston Villa – and then was called out by his manager.

The Reds missed the chance to continue their winning run as they drew 2-2 at Villa Park. In the second-half Nunez was presented with an excellent chance when Dominik Szoboszlai squared it to the forward, however, the second half substitute missed the target from close range despite no goalkeeper being in sight.

Speaking after the match, Arne Slot insisted that he is less than impressed with the forward, not for his glaring miss, but for the attitude he showed after missing from close range.

According to Slot, Nunez’s work rate dropped off in the period after his blunder but Suarez has leapt to Nunez’s defence.

Darwin Nunez shoots over during the Premier League match between Aston Villa FC and Liverpool FC at Villa Park. (Photo by Chris Brunskill/Fantasista/Getty Images)

Nunez maintained on social media that he would “give it my all until the last day I’m here in Liverpool “. Suarez, who was a huge success at Anfield, replied to the forward’s post with a glowing endorsement of his attitude and character.

His fellow Uruguayan said: “Of course, GOAL-SCORER, that’s how I love you! That’s the attitude, always positive. Let’s go up!”

Nunez joined Liverpool from Benfica in 2022 in a club-record deal, however, the Uruguayan international has scored six times in 35 appearances this term.

Currently not a regular starter at Anfield, Nunez Has been linked with a summer exit as the Reds consider reshaping their attack.

Slot was questioned on Nunez’s display and said: “I can accept every miss, ­especially from a player who scored two very important goals away at Brentford and that scored for us in the home game against Villa [in ­November]. I would prefer him to score but the word ‘chance’ says it all.

“It is a chance. It is not 100 per cent that it goes in the goal. I can accept misses, but what is harder for me to accept is his behaviour after the chance. It got too much in his head, he was not the usual ­Darwin who works his socks off and makes sure he helps the team.

“He was too ­disappointed that he missed that chance. Maybe we will never know, but maybe that is why he was just a fraction short the moment afterwards.”