DARWIN NUNEZ has fallen out of favour at Liverpool in recent months.
The 25-year-old has started just eight of the club’s 30 Premier League games so far this season.
He also has just five Champions League starts to his name.
Liverpool boss Arne Slot was highly critical of his work rate earlier this year.
In February, he said: “I helped him by saying you can miss a chance.
“I wasn’t only hard on him. But for the second time in a row I wasn’t happy with his work effort, against Wolves and against Villa.
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“I can’t accept if a player doesn’t give everything. That is clear. I can accept it once, but twice was a bit too much. That’s why I addressed it.”
The striker has started just one Premier League match since then, fuelling rumours that he may leave Anfield this summer.
But a report from Portuguese outlet A Bola has appeared to suggest that there could be another reason for his lack of game time.
Nunez has started 49 Prem and Champions League games combined for Liverpool since joining from Benfica in an £85million transfer almost three years ago.
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Reports in Portugal have claimed that the Reds could be forced to pay Benfica another £4.3million when he makes his 50th start.
Despite the little-known clause, many Liverpool fans believe that Nunez remains out of the starting line-up due to his form.
The striker has managed just seven goals in 42 appearances across all competitions this season.
He also has seven assists to his name.
