Darwin Nunez reality at Liverpool was clear a long time ago and it hasn't changed yet for Arne Slot

Darwin Nunez being something of a conundrum for is nothing new. He's scored 34 goals in just over two seasons since signing for Benfica — not bad, but he should have got a lot more. He needs a run in the side but is currently the second choice down the middle of the attack to .

There is a school of thought that suggests it could all click into place for Nunez at some point and the goals will suddenly begin to flow. So far, though, that calmness in front of goal is , at least on a regular basis. For every wondergoal, there is a glaring miss.

Away with his country for this international break , Nunez could finally now begin to get some rhythm into his legs if he plays for Marcelo Bielsa. And while Liverpool fans don't often want to see their favorites play at international level for risk of injury and fatigue, it is exactly what Nunez needs.

In part, illness has prevented the striker from building on his during his only start this season to date. But Jota being deservedly ahead of him in the pecking order has also presented an issue. Returning later than most for pre-season training, Nunez is yet to properly get going.

Often overly criticized and mocked by away fans for being a "**** Andy Carroll", the reality for the Liverpool man has always lay somewhere in between that and what his price tag should point to him being. Costing up to $109m (£85m/€100m) including add-ons, there is no doubt that Nunez needs to improve — but he hasn't been as bad as many might suggest.

For the 25-year-old to kick on and hit the next level as he enters what should be his peak years, he will need to develop the side of his game that he has struggled with the most: not necessarily even regular goalscoring, but just taking the big chances that come his way. For all that his link-up play could be better, Nunez does create opportunities for himself and his teammates. Jota is not exactly when it comes to setting up others, but he is more reliable than Nunez in front of goal.

"There’s a lot of confidence in Darwin," said recently. "But there are two players for that position and I could even come up with more who could play it — he is in competition with Diogo who has done really well. But many games have to be played and there will be enough time to judge Darwin: if he improves and how he improves and if he can do special things for the club."

It has been clear for some time that Nunez is a different kind of number nine to what had for the majority of his time at Anfield. Indeed, since he first came in, there was a need to be patient as he adjusted to the demands of playing that role and in a different style. As Slot says, though, there is also that feeling of there being something special lying not far under the surface.

The main issue is that there has been no significant sign of an improvement, in part because of a limited number of matches Nunez has been afforded from the start this year. Sooner rather than later, however, he will need to show that he is a different player from the raw striker who first arrived at Liverpool.

That's always been clear, as has the fact that he is much better than most given him credit for. Though there is still plenty of time, Slot hasn't managed to change him yet. The hope, as ever, is that he is just about to kick on.