Soccer
'No need for panic yet' - Michael Owen backs Premier League striker to bide his time amid snub
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Darwin Nunez will be frustrated to not figure in Arne Slot’s starting plans at Liverpool, but Michael Owen says there is no need for the Uruguay international to feel anxious.
The Reds have favoured the same attacking lineup in all three of their Premier League games this season, with Mohamed Salah and Luis Diaz preferred on the wings.
Diogo Jota has led the line, with Dominik Szoboszlai in the advanced midfield position behind, leading to a combination that has yielded seven goals and nine points so far.
That has resulted in just over half-an-hour of action for Nunez, off the bench against Brentford and Manchester United, but Owen says the alarm bells don’t need to ring yet.
“With Arne Slot coming in, he has to pick three players out of five for his attacking positions so whoever doesn’t play is going to feel downhearted,” Owen told TVSporten .
“You could say that Darwin Nunez isn’t in his starting XI plans but anything can happen with injuries and suspensions during the season.
“Nunez could come on in the next game at Old Trafford and score a couple of goals and all of a sudden, he can't be left out, starting 10 games on the spin.
“You do need a lot of players and Liverpool will be keen not to have any discontent in the ranks, of course, because it's been a good start to the season.
“People can jump to quick conclusions when new managers come in and all of a sudden think that you won’t ever be staying games.
“I suppose Nunez is of an age where he won't be wanting to spend loads of time on the bench as well. So, I think it's one to watch really.”
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