Arne Slot breaks silence on Darwin Nunez training ground 'bust-up' as Liverpool absence explained

Arne Slot has responded to claims Darwin Nunez had a training ground 'bust-up' as his Liverpool absence has been explained.

Liverpool returned to the win column following their shock 3-2 defeat at Fulham by beating West Ham United 2-1 last weekend.

Nunez sat in the stands and was not named as a substitute for their win over West Ham after rumours circulated that he had been involved in a training ground incident the day before.

Speaking in his pre-match press conference ahead of his side's game at Leicester City, Slot was asked about Nunez as he revealed that the forward's omission from the squad was not due to injury or illness.

Asked about Nunez's absence from Liverpool training, Slot said: "He didn't feel himself the day before the match, and he went inside, and he wasn't able to be part of the team the day after."

Darwin Nunez has since returned to Liverpool training. Image: Getty

Slot said the Uruguayan will be back in the squad for Sunday's fixture but when pushed on how he did not feel himself, he replied: "That can mean multiple things, yes. He didn't feel himself."

On whether the 25-year-old exchanged words with a member of staff, the Liverpool boss added: "No, he didn't. He did leave the pitch because he didn't feel himself.... as in he didn't have words with a staff member."

After scoring 18 goals across all competitions last season, Nunez only has seven goals to his name this time around.

Fabrizio Romano drops transfer update on Darwin Nunez's Liverpool future

Nunez has been the subject of intense transfer speculation and was linked with a move away from Liverpool during January's window.

According to Romano, his days at Anfield are numbered and he is expected to leave the club this summer.

On X, the transfer expert wrote: "The plan is clear since February and it hasn’t changed: Darwin Nunez, expected to leave Liverpool in the summer.

"After offer turned down by the club in January from Al Nassr, all options will be considered in the upcoming months.

"Darwin, also open to new chapter."

Clubs in Spain and Saudi Arabia are thought to be keeping tabs on Nunez's situation ahead of the transfer window reopening this summer.