Arne Slot prepared to go to extraordinary lengths for Darwin Núñez Liverpool career

Darwin Núñez has had a bit of a frustrating start to this season.

With the anticipation that new head coach Arne Slot could revitalise him in a new system, Darwin had claimed only one goal and one assist to far this season.

The goal came in his only league start against Bournemouth and, admittedly, was worth the wait. But with only playing a third of the available minutes so far this season, it is clear he is not currently seen as a primary option.

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There was about to be further frustration too, as Darwin had been handed a five-match ban for his national side Uruguay after his role in ugly scenes involving fans in the semi-final of the Copa America against Colombia in the summer.

How was Slot trying to find Darwin's form?

Because of this, Paul Joyce of The Times has reported that Liverpool were looking to organise a friendly match behind closed doors over the international break primarily so that Núñez could keep his fitness and find his form.

This shows the length Slot is willing to go to to try and accommodate the striker in his side. 

However, the Court of Arbitration for Sport has temporarily lifted the ban, meaning the striker can link up with Marcelo Bielsa’s La Celeste. 

Whilst the option to play multiple 90 minutes over the next week is undoubtedly the better one, it would have been interesting to see what effect an undocumented friendly with Liverpool’s other non-internationals would have had for Darwin.

Uruguay currently sit third in the South American World Cup qualifying table, behind Copa America’s two finalists, Argentina and Colombia. 

They will take on a struggling Peru side in Lima before returning to the Centenario to face an Ecuador side that currently sit one place behind them.

Núñez’s form since Bielsa took over as Uruguay manager has been nothing short of remarkable. The striker has 10 goals and two assists in 13 games under the maverick Argentinian, who is known for his intense pressing system and demanding fitness levels.

Hopefully Darwin will find his form again on a trip back to the Americas. If not, he may be looking at a move away from Merseyside.