Liverpool manager defended Darwin Núñez from criticism ahead of Sunday's crucial final

Liverpool could secure its first title of the season this weekend when it faces Newcastle on Sunday at Wembley Stadium in the League Cup final.

This match falls on the heels of the Reds' elimination from the UEFA Champions League at the hands of Paris Saint-Germain on penalties, in which Darwin Núñez missed his penalty and drew criticism.

This Friday, his coach, Arne Slot, publicly defended him at a press conference: "I'm sure Curtis [Jones, who also missed his penalty] felt the same way. Any player who takes responsibility for taking a penalty and misses it isn't going to feel good, but it's not just them: it's all the players who don't feel good about our loss."

“They take responsibility. You can miss a chance or a penalty, but that's what can happen if you take responsibility. We could have won in the ninety minutes, and then in the penalties you need a little luck. Darwin missed, and it's not ideal, but I don't want to make this more than what it is: just missing a penalty,” he concluded.

The Uruguayan striker has seven goals and seven assists in 39 matches this season. His last goal came last Saturday in the Premier League; he scored once and assisted twice in the League Cup.