Arne Slot has explained his frustrations with Darwin Núñez after he left the Uruguay international on the bench during Liverpool's 2-0 win over Manchester City.
Slot had previously said he was unhappy with Núñez's behaviour following the 2-2 draw at Aston Villa.
The Liverpool manager has now revealed he was not satisfied that the forward was giving his best in his last two appearances.
"I helped him by saying you can miss a chance [against Villa]," Slot said.
"I wasn't only hard on him.