Darwin Núñez Rift with Slot Sparks Napoli Interest Amid Liverpool Turmoil
Tensions are rising at Liverpool as striker Darwin Núñez, who scored in the Reds’ 3-1 pre-season win over Preston North End on July 13, has reportedly grown frustrated with his diminished role—despite the club’s title-winning campaign last season.
Núñez, who started just eight Premier League games, is said to have confronted manager Arne Slot in a heated exchange at the AXA Training Centre. The 25-year-old voiced concerns over being regularly benched in favor of players like Cody Gakpo and the late Diogo Jota, even when fully fit.
Sources claim Slot responded critically, questioning Núñez’s work ethic and consistency—echoing public remarks from February 2025, when the Dutch manager stated:
“I can’t accept if a player doesn’t give everything,”
following lackluster showings against Wolves and Aston Villa.
The fallout has intensified transfer links with Napoli, who view Núñez as a top target to replace Victor Osimhen, now close to a move to Galatasaray. Napoli’s recent €55 million offer was rejected, with Liverpool reportedly holding out for €60–70 million.
Despite the setback, Núñez has given Napoli the green light, favoring a move to Serie A over lucrative offers from Saudi clubs like Al-Hilal. Transfer expert Fabrizio Romano reported on July 14 that Núñez “continues to wait for Napoli” but warned that “he can’t wait forever.”
However, Napoli are now closing in on Udinese’s Lorenzo Lucca for €34 million—potentially cooling their pursuit of the Uruguayan forward.
The uncertainty comes at a delicate time for Liverpool, who are mourning Diogo Jota’s tragic passing. The emotional tribute during the Preston match—complete with a holographic homage—cast a somber tone over what should have been a routine pre-season fixture.
Inside the club, Núñez’s situation is creating unease. Some fans and players see his departure as inevitable, citing Slot’s continued use of Luis Díaz out of position as a sign of lost faith. Social media remains divided, with users like @JotaBelieveIt arguing Núñez deserves better, while others support Slot’s discipline-first philosophy.
Complicating matters, Liverpool’s pursuit of striking reinforcements—Hugo Ekitike and Alexander Isak—has also stalled, potentially leaving Slot short-handed ahead of crucial pre-season friendlies in Asia and the Community Shield clash with Crystal Palace on August 10.
As Liverpool enter a period of emotional recovery and tactical adjustment, the Núñez saga threatens to further fracture a squad already walking a tightrope between progress and instability.
