Arne Slot ‘cannot afford to repeat Darwin Nunez mistake’ v Southampton
Liverpool manager Arne Slot does not often make the wrong decision when it comes to his starting line-up.
The Reds sit top of the Premier League and have one foot in the quarter-finals of the Champions League after a 1-0 win in the French capital (5 March).
However, the Merseysiders were dominated in that contest and would have had to produce another remarkable Anfield comeback but for the heroics of Alisson between the sticks.
As his side looks to maintain their 13-point lead at the summit of the top flight, the Dutchman cannot afford to make the same mistake as he did in Paris.
Darwin Nunez has to start v Southampton
Southampton may be struggling at the bottom of the division but they desperately need to start picking up results and that makes them dangerous.
With the Reds needing to come away with nothing less than all three points to keep their commanding lead over Arsenal, Slot needs to wield the axe on Diogo Jota.
Darwin Nunez must start as his energy and pace in behind will cause much more problems than the Portugal international in his current state.
Jota was hauled off after 67 minutes in the Champions League clash after creating zero chances and failing to record a single shot in the Parc Des Princes. [Fotmob]
| Stats | Chances created | Assists | Pass accuracy |
| Jota | 0 | 0 | 79% |
| Nunez | 1 | 1 | 50% |
Meanwhile, the Uruguayan changed the complexion of the clash when he was brought on for the former Wolves man with his relentless workrate.
In a 23 minute cameo, the 25-year-old created one chance which was the assist for Harvey Elliott’s late winner.
He also won the only tackle that he attempted for a 100 per cent success rate as he tried to help out defensively.
Liverpool need Slot to trust Nunez
The former Benfica man will never be a regular goalscorer in the Premier League, that is clear after his underwhelming career on Merseyside so far.
He may well be sold if interest from Saudi Arabia is revived in the summer transfer window but while he is at Anfield, he can be a pivotal figure in the Reds’ chase for domestic and European glory.
He has shown with his brace against Brentford and the assist against the French outfit that he can pop up with crucial moments when needed.
Starting him against Southampton cannot be any worse than Jota, who looks like a shadow of his former self after his return from injury.