Arne Slot has denied Darwin Núñez was dropped from Liverpool’s win against West Ham because of a training-ground row with a member of his coaching staff.

The Liverpool head coach said on Sunday that Núñez was absent from the 2-1 victory at Anfield having felt unwell during training the day before, although the striker sat behind the substitutes throughout the game.

Speculation has been rife that the Uruguay international, whom Slot criticised for his work rate against Wolves and Aston Villa in February, was left out for disciplinary reasons.

Asked on Friday to clarify the situation, Slot said: “He didn’t feel himself the day before the match, and he went inside and he wasn’t able to be part of the team the day after.” Didn’t feel himself? “That can mean multiple things, yes,” Slot replied. “He didn’t feel himself.”

Slot confirmed the £85m club record signing would be in the squad for Sunday’s trip to Leicester. Liverpool will win the Premier League title with victory against Ruud van Nistelrooy’s struggling side if Arsenal lose at Ipswich.

Slot was directly asked whether Núñez had a heated exchange with a member of the backroom team during Saturday’s training session. “No, he didn’t,” said Slot. “He did leave the pitch because he didn’t feel himself.” As in, he was ill? “As in he didn’t have words with a staff member.”