Darwin Nunez is struggling badly for form (Picture: Getty Images)
Darwin Nunez has thanked Liverpool fans for their support, acknowledging in the same message that some have been vocal of their criticism of him.
The 25-year-old has not been in good form this season, one of the few players struggling to shine under Arne Slot since his arrival.
The Uruguayan has managed two Premier League goals in 11 appearances and three in 19 across all competitions, despite the Reds being in fine form as a team.
Nunez struggled again on Tuesday night away to Girona in the Champions League, fluffing a couple of good chances and being taken off just after the 70 minute mark.
Liverpool are having a tremendous time, sitting top of the Premier League and Champions League tables, and despite not firing on all cylinders on Tuesday, did win 1-0 at Girona.
However, Nunez has come in for criticism and some Reds fans have been vocal in their annoyance with his performances.
The former Benfica man has clearly heard the abuse from the stands as he responded to it on Instagram, writing: ‘They are not all, they are some. Thank you Reds for your support, we are all still together!’
Nunez responded to his critics on social media (Picture: Instagram/darwin_n9)
He posted a slightly different message on X, writing: ‘Together we stand, ready for what’s next!’
Mohamed Salah scored the only goal of the game against Girona and asked for his verdict on Nunez’s performance after the win, Liverpool boss Slot said: ‘What I can agree on is that he missed a few chances.
‘Then it’s always the question: does this have anything to do with low confidence or is this a situation where he’s in at the moment?
‘I think every striker all around the world has periods where every ball goes in, and sometimes he has a period where you try so hard but you’re not able to score.
‘The good thing is that we have many players that can score for us – today Mo again. I would have loved to see Darwin score because I think every striker wants to score [and] needs goals – that’s why I kept him in for quite a long time.
‘He was a threat but unfortunately he couldn’t score.’
Darwin Nunez is lacking confidence in front of goal (Picture: Getty Images)
Former Newcastle goalkeeper Shay Given watched Nunez in Catalonia and witheringly described him as ‘a bit of a workhorse’ who is not a natural footballer.
‘What I would say, he’s not a natural, everything he does is a struggle, he’s not a natural footballer,’ the Irishman said on Premier Sports.
‘People will say fans like him because he works hard for the team – but when you spend 85 million on a player, you want somebody more than a bit of a workhorse.
‘Bringing me all the way back around to Mo Salah, they can spend 85 million on a right-sided player in the summer and let Mo Salah go on a free, and you get someone like that who fluffs his chances, not a finisher, not a goal-scorer, and everything he does seems a bit of a struggle.’