Liverpool forward Darwin Nunez has acknowledged that he is struggling for confidence in the final third.
Nunez has been selected in the Uruguay squad for their upcoming World Cup qualifiers against Argentina and Bolivia, those games to be played on March 21 and March 25 respectively.
However, the 25-year-old - who with 13 goals is the highest international goalscorer in Marcelo Bielsa's squad - is currently enduring the worst run of form in his career.
Since the start of November, Nunez has only netted five time across 29 appearances in all competitions, a mix of outings in the starting lineup and from the substitutes' bench.
As a result, it has been widely speculated that Liverpool boss Arne Slot and club officials are prepared to cash in on the former Benfica man during the summer transfer window.
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Nunez speaks on Liverpool "slump"
Speaking to El Pais, Nunez has acknowledged that he has struggled to put together a run of form that would help convince Slot to keep him in the first XI.
He said: "I know I'm not performing as well as I should. It's difficult because when you're doing well, like when I came on against PSG (providing the assist for Harvey Elliott's goal), your confidence changes, with the idea of being able to break it in the next match.
"But then you get a slump, and I'm always there to help my teammates come back to the national team."
Nunez added that he was looking forward to a change of scenery back in his homeland, saying: "To forget a little about what's happening there, and besides, there's nothing more beautiful for a player than wearing your country's jersey.
'I'm happy thinking about the national team, enjoying every minute with it - these are moments that one goes through in football."
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An important moment for Nunez?
With Nunez now the most experienced player in Uruguay's attack, it is an opportunity for him to take on more responsibility with the national team.
He has gone eight matches without finding the back of the net on the international stage, yet Bielsa will rely on him for the showdown with Argentina.
If Nunez can get on the scoresheet in either of the upcoming double-header, it could prove pivotal for his club career, the player needing a run of improved performances to convince people that he deserves a longer Anfield stay, providing that he wants one.
Teams in the Premier League and the Saudi Pro League are said to be monitoring the situation.
Darren Plant
