BREAKING NEWS: live from Fabrizio Romano, Former Liverpool striker Emile Heskey believes that one of Liverpool star should start against arsenal. He said, “Listen, he needs to be fully involved in the match against Arsenal. He’s a fighter, he’s determined, and I don’t understand why Arne Slot can’t see it. Believe me, he’s the one who’ll make the key difference against Arsenal. His assists, his tenacity, his ability to open up defenses—these are exactly what we need. Overlook him, and we’re making a huge mistake. Emile Heskey speaks out.”

Former Liverpool striker Emile Heskey has called for appreciation of Darwin Nunez’s efforts this season, despite the Uruguayan’s reduced role under new manager Arne Slot. The 25-year-old forward, who joined Liverpool in 2022 for a reported £64 million, has found himself lower in the pecking order since Slot’s arrival in the summer, with Diogo Jota often preferred in the starting lineup.

Nunez has made nine appearances across all competitions this season, scoring two goals and providing one assist. However, his Premier League opportunities have been limited, with just one start—a 3-0 win over Bournemouth in September. In a recent outing against Chelsea, Nunez came off the bench in the 30th minute to replace the injured Jota, winning five out of seven duels in the first half and making a notable impact despite not finding the back of the net.

Speaking to Tribal Football, Heskey praised Nunez’s work ethic and contributions to the team. “No, I don’t think more defensively, I think he’s just chipping in and that’s just him through and through,” Heskey said. “He is a fighter, he’s determined, he’s a workhorse. I think that’s one of his traits that we are appreciating.” Heskey emphasized that while Nunez’s goalscoring form hasn’t been prolific, his energy, tenacity, and ability to open up defenses add valuable dimensions to Liverpool’s play. “But again he is a forward, so we have got to look at the other end of it where we have got to appreciate his goalscoring, his assists, and his tenacity to open up defenses,” Heskey added.

Since Slot took over at Anfield, Jota has been the preferred choice, registering four goals and two assists in ten games. The Portuguese forward’s form has kept Nunez mostly on the bench, raising questions about the Uruguayan’s future at the club. Despite his high-profile arrival in the same summer as Erling Haaland, Nunez has struggled to keep pace with the Norwegian’s explosive impact at Manchester City. While Haaland has surpassed 100 goals for the reigning champions, Nunez has managed just 35 goals in 105 appearances across all competitions for Liverpool.

The uncertainty surrounding Nunez’s role could prompt the club to seek upgrades in the summer transfer window. For the Uruguayan, the prospect of continued limited playing time may lead him to reassess his future at Anfield. If Nunez remains on the fringes, he could consider a departure as early as 2025, particularly if Liverpool bring in new attacking talent. The 25-year-old’s contract runs until 2028, but his long-term stay at the club might depend on regaining a more prominent role in the coming months.

As things stand, Nunez’s future at Liverpool is not entirely secure, and his performances in the remainder of the season will likely be crucial in determining whether he can regain his status as a first-team regular or face the possibility of moving on in pursuit of more playing time elsewhere.