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Darwin Nunez joined Liverpool from Benfica for £64m in 2022 Liverpool manager Arne Slot says he "can't accept" striker Darwin Nunez's work-rate in his past two games. The Uruguay international was a second-half substitute in the win over Wolves on 16 February and the draw at Aston Villa on 19 February, when he missed an open goal. Nunez did not come off the bench in Sunday's 2-0 win at Manchester City, which took Liverpool 11 points clear at the top of the Premier League. Slot defended Nunez after his miss against Villa but said he allowed his "disappointment" to impact his work-rate. "I helped him by saying you can miss a chance, " Slot said in his news conference before Wednesday's visit of Newcastle. "I wasn't only hard on him. But for the second time in a row I wasn't happy with his work effort, against Wolves and against Villa. "I can't accept if a player doesn't give everything. That is clear. I can accept it once, but twice was a bit too much. That's why I addressed it. "If you miss a chance, you need to be fighting for the team. I'm not saying he didn't do that at all, but it wasn't the usual Darwin, the one that is loved by the fans. That is mainly because he always works so hard. " Slot said Nunez, who has scored six goals in 35 games in all competitions for Liverpool this season, was "incredible" in training on Monday. 'I'm not the worst' - but is Nunez too wasteful for Liverpool? What's Nunez's x G at Liverpool? Archer takes all three as England reduce Afghanistan to 37-3 Premier League reaction as Chelsea return to top four F1 testing 2025: Hamilton on track for Ferrari first in Bahrain Do something funny for money this Red Nose Day Comic Relief is hitting the Big 4-0 and this Red Nose Day we’re going big to celebrate! Franz Ferdinand performs an electrifying session An effortless collaboration between the BBC Concert Orchestra and Franz Ferdinand Actor Bryan Cranston traces his father’s family line Lost connections and unknown histories are revealed as Bryan traces his family trees Sharing personal stories of discovery and family identity A death-bed promise to solve a family mystery takes a daughter on a remarkable journey Harsher bans needed to stop dangerous tackles - Warburton. Video Harsher bans needed to stop dangerous tackles - Warburton Keep smiling and goals will come, Maresca tells Palmer Mourinho v Turkish football - what is going on? 'The mood is buzzing' - Palace thrash Villa as Wharton shines Lions watch week three: Fly-halves, back three & captain In Pictures: Sporting photos of the week What did we learn from Ferguson's Rangers unveiling? The Premier League perils awaiting Leeds as promotion edges closer The Carragher & Africa Cup of Nations row explained Sutton's predictions v singer Paige Cavell Is Salah set for greatest individual Premier League season? Crumbling fortresses - why are teams struggling to win at home? Inside the doping deal for tennis' world number one 'Let's call it now - the title race is over, Liverpool will be champions' 'England have found an edge to bounce back' Everybody wants Usyk - what next for the heavyweights? England find a way to win to stay in title mix Leeds-born Coventry fan Inglis gives England blues with riotous knock 'Missed opportunities haunt Scotland on rough day' What to look out for in MLS this season Copyright © 2025 BBC. The BBC is not responsible for the content of external sites. Read about our approach to external linking.