Dirk Kuyt backs Darwin Nunez to perform and prove his worth to Liverpool team
Former Liverpool forward Dirk Kuyt believes Darwin Nunez's Anfield future remains in his own hands despite a disappointing season.
The Uruguay international has scored just seven times for the Reds and has earned both praise and rebuke from head coach Arne Slot for his efforts on the pitch.
Liverpool's Premier League title charge has been propelled once again by Mohamed Salah, with 32 goals in all competitions, but his contract expires in June and with no sign of a resolution big changes could be ahead this summer.
Potential new strikers have already been linked, with speculation Nunez may be moved on, and Kuyt said that was the reality of playing for the club.
'I became friends with Pepe Reina and after the first season he congratulated me with the fact I was one year at Liverpool and said, 'actually, every year you can stay at Liverpool it is a championship of your own',' he told the PA news agency ahead of his appearance for the Liverpool Legends against Chelsea at Anfield on Saturday.
'Not only are the players who are there trying to kick you out of the team but every year there comes someone in your place.
'I played the first season with (Craig) Bellamy and (Peter) Crouch and I was the top goalscorer and thought, 'I will be OK for next season' and then the club signed Fernando Torres.
'You always have to be at your best to stay at Liverpool and every player has to perform day in, day out, and you know if you are not performing another player will be ready to fill your place.
'If you know Arne Slot a little bit every day he will have tried to push Darwin to get the best out of him so he will never stop doing that and then the player decides himself whether he will play or not because he will have to perform.
'When you have a team-mate like Mo Salah – or in my time Fernando Torres – and these guys are making goalscoring so easy all the supporters want you to make as many goals as well.
'Darwin is pushing himself very hard, sometimes doing well and sometimes not scoring the goals he wanted himself, and that makes it difficult because the pressure is so big.'
:: Tickets are still available for the Legends game, which has raised more than £7.5million for the LFC Foundation from eight previous matches.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Daily Mail
19 minutes ago
- Daily Mail
Tottenham 'axe three of Ange Postecoglou's backroom staff' as they step up search for his successor
Three members of Ange Postecoglou 's backroom staff are set to follow him out of the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium this summer. Spurs confirmed on Friday afternoon that Postecoglou would not be returning for a third season, with the 59-year-old sacked just 16 days after overseeing a famous victory against Manchester United in the UEFA Europa League final. That win ended Tottenham's 17-year wait for a major trophy and secured a place in the next edition of the Champions League. But it was not enough to save Postecoglou, who also oversaw a 17th place finish in the Premier League — the club's lowest ever. Postecoglou's departure was communicated by the club via a 368-word statement. That statement did not mention whether or not any other staff members were also leaving. But according to The Telegraph, Spurs chiefs have decided to axe Postecoglou's assistant coaches Mile Jedinak, Nick Montgomery and Sergio Raimundo. Meanwhile, Ryan Mason — who also worked as an assistant coach under Postecoglou — left Spurs earlier in the week to take the vacant manager's job at West Bromwich Albion. Senior coach Matt Wells and goalkeeping coach Rob Burch are said to have remained with Spurs for now, although that could change after Postecoglou's replacement is announced. That replacement is likely to be current Brentford boss Thomas Frank but he is not the only man in the frame. Brentford do not want to lose Frank and will demand significant compensation, believed to be in the region of £10million, if he leaves for Spurs. Tottenham chairman Daniel Levy is expected to step up his search for a new manager in the coming days, with Marco Silva and Scott Parker also in the frame.
Daily Mail
35 minutes ago
- Daily Mail
BREAKING NEWS Thomas Tuchel considering handing Jordan Henderson shock England start over Declan Rice for World Cup qualifier against Andorra
England manager Thomas Tuchel has been considering a surprise start for Jordan Henderson against Andorra in Barcelona this afternoon. If the 34-year-old does begin the game it will be his 84th England cap and his first start for his country since November 2023. Tuchel has talked at length about recalling Henderson from the international wilderness on the back of his leadership qualities off the field. But it would still be a big call to choose the former Liverpool captain – now at Ajax – ahead of Arsenal 's Declan Rice in a World Cup qualifier against the nation ranked 173rd in the world. Elsewhere, Liverpool's Curtis Jones may start at right back with Reece James of Chelsea on the left. Newcastle's Dan Burn is expected to partner Aston Villa's Ezri Konsa in the centre of the England defence. It was revealed earlier today that Bukayo Saka has been left out of the squad while Conor Gallagher will also be absent. Speaking on Friday, Tuchel revealed that Saka had only trained once with his team-mates ahead of the game, with the omission understood to be linked to his fitness. Saka is yet to feature for his country since Tuchel assumed his position as Gareth Southgate 's successor at St George's Park in January. The 23-year-old was unavailable for selection for Tuchel's first games in charge of England back in March, as he continued his recovery from a hamstring injury. Meanwhile, Aston Villa striker Ollie Watkins has returned home after picking up a minor injury this week.
Metro
an hour ago
- Metro
Thomas Frank responds to Tottenham approach after Ange Postecoglou sacking
Brentford manager Thomas Frank is interested in replacing Ange Postecoglou at Tottenham, according to reports. Spurs finally confirmed Postecoglou's sacking on Friday evening in a statement which claimed that they could not keep the 59-year-old in place because of the 'emotions' of winning the Europa League. Postecoglou guided Spurs to their first trophy in 17 years last month with a 1-0 victory over Manchester United in the Europa League final in Bilbao. However, Postecoglou ultimately lost his job due to his side's woeful Premier League campaign in which they finished 17th in the table with 22 defeats. Tottenham are now in talks to secure Postecoglou's replacement ahead of their pre-season campaign and an approach has been made to Frank. According to The Telegraph, Frank is interested in becoming Tottenham's next manager and the Brentford boss is regarded as 'the leading candidate'. The report adds that Frank still has a positive relationship with Spurs' sporting director, Johan Lange, following their time together at Danish side Lyngby. Postecoglou, who earned a £2 million bonus for winning the Europa League and was given a £4m compensation package by Tottenham, is also said to have received immediate interest from clubs following his dismissal. Elsewhere, Portuguese newspaper Record reported on Friday night that Fulham manager, Marco Silva, is 'very close' to reaching an agreement with Spurs. 'When I reflect on my time as Manager of Tottenham Hotspur my overriding emotion is one of pride. 'The opportunity to lead one of England's historic football clubs and bring back the glory it deserves will live with me for a lifetime. Sharing that experience with all those who truly love this club and seeing the impact it had on them is something I will never forget. 'That night in Bilbao was the culmination of two years of hard work, dedication and unwavering belief in a dream. There were many challenges to overcome and plenty of noise that comes with trying to accomplish what many said was not possible. 'We have also laid foundations that mean this club should not have to wait 17 more years for their next success. I have enormous faith in this group of players and know there is much more potential and growth in them. 'I sincerely want to thank those who are the lifeblood of the club, the supporters. I know there were some difficult times but I always felt that they wanted me to succeed and that gave me all the motivation I needed to push on. It's important to acknowledge the hard working people at Spurs who gave me encouragement on a daily basis. 'And finally, I want to thank those who were with me every day for the last two years. A fantastic group of young men who are now legends of this football club and the brilliant coaches who never once doubted we could do something special. 'We are forever connected.' Tottenham, meanwhile, described the call to sack Postecoglou as 'one of the toughest decisions we have had to make'. 'We are extremely grateful to Ange for his commitment and contribution during his two years at the Club. Ange will always be remembered as only the third manager in our history to deliver a European trophy, alongside legendary figures Bill Nicholson and Keith Burkinshaw,' Tottenham's statement read. 'However, the Board has unanimously concluded that it is in the best interests of the Club for a change to take place. Following a positive start in the 2023/24 Premier League (PL) season, we recorded 78 points from the last 66 PL games. This culminated in our worst-ever PL finish last season. More Trending 'At times there were extenuating circumstances – injuries and then a decision to prioritise our European campaign. Whilst winning the Europa League this season ranks as one of the Club's greatest moments, we cannot base our decision on emotions aligned to this triumph. 'It is crucial that we are able to compete on multiple fronts and believe a change of approach will give us the strongest chance for the coming season and beyond. 'This has been one of the toughest decisions we have had to make and is not a decision that we have taken lightly, nor one we have rushed to conclude. We have made what we believe is the right decision to give us the best chance of success going forward, not the easy decision. 'We have a talented, young squad and Ange has given us a great platform to build upon. We should like to express our gratitude to him. We wish him well for the future – he will always be welcome back at our home.' For more stories like this, check our sport page. Follow Metro Sport for the latest news on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram. MORE: Former Tottenham star warns Man Utd that £60m transfer could be hijacked MORE: Newcastle make move for £50million Chelsea transfer target after Bryan Mbeumo picks Man Utd MORE: Bruno Fernandes has already named the striker who would be perfect for Man Utd
