LIVERPOOL boss Arne Slot has hit back at rumours Darwin Nunez was dropped over a training ground bust-up.
The Reds forward watched from the stands and was not named among the substitutes for last Sunday.
, 25, sat behind the subs bench during the 2-1 victory at Anfield.
Slot had previously against Wolves and Aston Villa in February.
And speculation was rife that he had been involved in a training ground incident with a coaching staff member.
But Slot denied those claims ahead of Liverpool's clash with on Sunday.
The Dutchman said: “He didn't feel himself the day before the match.
“He went inside [at training] and he wasn't able to be part of the team the day after.”
Pushed on whether Nunez had rowed with a member of the coaching staff, Slot repeated that the star “didn't feel himself.”
He added: “No, he didn’t [have an altercation].
“He did leave the [training] pitch because he didn't feel himself.
“He didn’t have words with a staff member.”
Slot confirmed the £85million club record signing would be in the squad for the Leicester game.
Liverpool were boosted by penning a new deal at the club on Thursday.
It followed Mo Salah's decision to
Asked about van Dijk's influence, Slot added: “You know how important he is when you see him play.
“I have not worked with a player like him in terms of leadership.
“The energy he brings, how professional he is, tries to influence his teammates.”
He continued: “At Liverpool there is always a big summer and it is already a big summer now.
“By already holding on to two it is already a big summer. Let’s see what the rest of the summer will bring, but it would be strange for me to say now I am not happy with the team.
“Maybe if we can keep that team it will already be a big summer.”
