Imagine Him & Salah: Slot Must Hand “Unstoppable” Liverpool Ace His First Start v Forest
Liverpool are flourishing under the guidance of Arne Slot, who has inherited a top-tier squad. Slot is integrating his vision with precision and efficiency.
In the match against Ipswich Town, the newly implemented style showcased its versatility. During the game against Brentford at Anfield, Slot’s controlled tactics were evident. Against Manchester United, the Reds dominated Old Trafford and began to appear like a genuine force.
Next up for Liverpool is Nottingham Forest, who travel to Merseyside aiming to maintain their unbeaten streak of one win and two draws. However, they face one of their toughest challenges yet against Slot’s Liverpool, a team eager to extend their perfect start to the season.
Unfortunately, Harvey Elliott will miss the upcoming matches after fracturing his foot while playing for England’s U21s. Although the 21-year-old has had limited appearances this season, he was expected to play a bigger role with the increasing number of fixtures.
Despite this setback, there is positive news. Alexis Mac Allister completed a full training session on Thursday and is available for selection after a fitness issue with Argentina last week. Additionally, Curtis Jones has recovered and hopes to start in the upcoming matches.
Federico Chiesa, who was signed from Juventus for £12.5 million last month, could make his debut. However, he may not be immediately included in the starting lineup. Despite Chiesa likely starting on the bench, Slot may consider resting Diogo Jota for the first time this season.
Why Arne Slot Should Drop Diogo Jota
Jota has started in all three of Liverpool’s opening games under Slot, contributing a goal and an assist. His efforts were pivotal in the match against Manchester United, where he worked relentlessly to press the defence, creating opportunities for players like Luis Diaz and Mohamed Salah. However, it was far from his best performance.
| Minutes | 76 |
| Touches | 26 |
| Pass Accuracy % | 64 |
| Shots | 1 |
| Dribblers | 0/5 |
Jota struggled to complete any of his five attempted dribbles against Manchester United and lost all ten of his duels. This performance highlighted the depth of Liverpool’s attacking options, showing that the Portuguese forward is not guaranteed a starting spot as their main striker.
Additionally, Jota’s injury history raises concerns. He needs to be managed carefully, especially with a demanding schedule ahead, to avoid overburdening him and risking an extended absence due to injury.
Cody Gakpo will be eager for his first start of the season, but this time Darwin Nunez should get the opportunity. The dynamic striker has a strong track record against today’s opposition and possesses the qualities to excel in Slot’s system.
Slot Must Unleash Darwin Nunez
Nunez netted 18 goals and provided 13 assists across all competitions last season, though his performances in the final third remained inconsistent, lacking the expected fluidity.
While he possesses numerous tools to trouble defenders, he often falls short, showing signs of wastefulness and unpredictability. Despite this, he’s frequently hailed for his brilliance and has earned the nickname “agent of chaos” by many, as noted by journalist Theo Squires.
| Darwin Nunez: PL Stats Comparison | ||
|---|---|---|
| Stat (*per game) | 22/23 | 23/24 |
| Matches played | 29 (19) | 36 (22) |
| Goals | 9 | 11 |
| Assists | 3 | 8 |
| Big chances missed | 20 | 27 |
| Pass completion | 67% | 72% |
| Big chances created | 11 | 11 |
| Key passes* | 1.0 | 0.9 |
| Dribbles* | 0.6 (49%) | 0.4 (43%) |
| Duels won* | 2.8 (38%) | 2.4 (38%) |
| Stats Source: Sofascore | ||
Núñez’s development during his two seasons in the Premier League has been a concern, as he has yet to significantly improve his performance. His finishing has remained inefficient, as highlighted by his 27 missed big chances last season, where he only managed to score 11 goals – a return that falls below expectations.
Despite this, Núñez found success against Nottingham Forest last season, scoring in both home and away fixtures. With this past record, he might feel optimistic about earning a starting spot and extending his good form, especially after his notable impact at the City Ground earlier in 2024.
So far this season, Núñez has only appeared as a substitute, but the current tactical setup may suit his style, especially if he builds on the excellent form of his teammate Salah. The Egyptian forward, already with three goals and three assists in three games, remains a key figure, and it’s difficult to imagine him not leaving a mark on today’s match.
Even if Núñez doesn’t score, should he start, his playmaking abilities might still prove valuable in linking up with Salah. With 10 of his 17 assists at Liverpool setting up Salah, the chemistry between the two could be a critical asset, offering flexibility that keeps opponents on their toes.
While Salah’s individual brilliance plays a significant role, Núñez brings energy, sharp movement, and a strong awareness of space. His inconsistency in finishing doesn’t overshadow his wide-ranging skill set.
According to data from FBref, Núñez ranks in the top 10% of forwards in Europe’s top five leagues over the past year for assists, the top 11% for shot-creating actions, the top 17% for progressive carries, and the top 21% for tackles per 90 minutes.
The tackle statistic is particularly interesting, demonstrating his willingness to contribute defensively. With so much attacking talent at Slot’s disposal, Núñez stands out as a unique player, eager to prove his worth.
Liverpool will be the favourites to win against Forest at home, but Nuno Espirito Santo’s side has shown resilience and tactical awareness in the early part of the season, and they won’t be an easy opponent.
Forest leads the Premier League in shots taken this season with 53, while Liverpool is close behind with 48. Forest’s 21 shots on target are the most in the league, which could raise concerns for Liverpool. However, this offensive approach also opens them up to counterattacks, which could be an opportunity for Núñez to shine.
It might be wise for Slot to make a few adjustments, and with Jota’s injury history and recent form, it could be the perfect moment to give Núñez a starting role. Klopp once referred to Núñez as “unstoppable” when playing at his best, and now is the time for him to demonstrate his talent under new management.
The ideal setup might be Núñez leading the attack through the center, with Salah and Diaz supporting him from the wings.
In other Liverpool news, Chris Sutton Predicts Liverpool vs Forest Result as He Backs One Player to Score
