Darwin Nunez has endured a difficult few months at Liverpool, but he will hope that the last two games will prove to be the start of him turning a corner in his Reds career.
Just last week, the Uruguayan switched his Instagram profile to private mode in an apparent attempt to block out negativity from some of his online critics, but his brilliant goal against Bournemouth at the weekend represented a high point in his season so far.
Nunez was handed a second successive start as the Reds breezed past West Ham in the EFL Cup on Wednesday, and Arne Slot suggested afterwards that he can expect plenty more game time in the weeks ahead as he said he will continue to rotate Diogo Jota - Nunez's main competitor for the striker position in the team - throughout the season.
- Arne Slot has already surpassed Rafa Benitez and Jurgen Klopp
- Real Madrid star Rodrygo has already revealed why he rejected Liverpool move
"How do we keep Diogo fit? Rotate!" Slot said. "I think we are trying to manage his minutes in the best possible way, but we also try to prepare him in the week and the months of pre-season to prepare them for so many games in the Premier League.
"But sometimes there are small margins and you can be unlucky as well. If you saw what happened with (Manchester City's) Rodri (ACL injury against Arsenal), that is so, so unlucky for him. So it is about preparing in the best possible way but in the end you need a bit of luck as well.
"But the players can be as professional as possible, live in the best way for their career and that is what they have done so far. And we as a staff prepare them to get them through without injuries."
Jota scored twice as Liverpool put five past the Hammers, with Cody Gakpo also netting a brace in the closing stages of the match. Slot said of Liverpool's scorers: "I think Diogo deserved [the goals], he played a lot of good games for us already and he is only on the scoresheet in the first game against Ipswich. But he has been important in every game, but a striker always wants to score goals, so I am pleased for him and he got two from the 10 position.
"He scored two really good goals and Cody, I think it was 10 or 15 minutes before the end, he cleared the ball from his own 18-yard box and that is also what he brings to the team.
"Apart from scoring two goals, I see him in training and the way he hits the ball around the 18 yard box with incredible speed, so I am not surprised to see him scoring like this and he scored a similar one last year against West Ham, so no surprise to see him score with the way he did. But it is also about them defending in their own box."
