Darwin Nunez has revealed that online abuse has impacted his confidence following a difficult season with Liverpool. The Uruguay international deleted all Liverpool-related posts from his Instagram account after the 4-2 win over Tottenham on May 5, sparking speculation about his future.
Nunez, 24, scored 18 goals and provided 13 assists in 54 appearances last season but failed to find the net in his final eight Premier League games. He lost his starting place to Cody Gakpo under Jurgen Klopp, and incoming manager Arne Slot has been linked with a potential sale, with Barcelona reportedly interested.
Speaking to Por la Jersey via ESPN Uruguay, Nunez said: “From the moment you start playing and until you retire, there will always be someone who will criticise you. Before, I did look at them a lot and it affected me. Whoever says that those negative comments do not affect them is lying.” He added that he now ignores all social media comments, both positive and negative, and relies on his family for support.
Despite criticism from pundits like Jamie Carragher, who said “there's going to be no improvement in him,” Slot plans to keep Nunez, who has four years left on his contract. Klopp also defended the striker, saying: “That’s really tough for a young man... you have to go through this.”
