Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp has given an injury update on forward Darwin Nunez – and it may not be good news for the Reds.
Nunez opened the scoring for Liverpool in their 2-0 win over Newcastle on Saturday. After being played through on goal, he rifled a shot past Nick Pope and into the bottom corner.
It was a typically powerful strike from the Uruguayan, who took his seasonal tally in the Premier League to six goals.
Cody Gakpo then added a second goal for the Reds, with the attacking trio of the Dutchman, Nunez and Mohamed Salah again paying dividends after the 2-0 victory over Everton earlier in the week.
Their form has been a significant boost for Klopp and his side, with the German experimenting with various options in attack over recent months due to injuries suffered by Luis Diaz, Roberto Firmino and Diogo Jota.
But Klopp revealed that Nunez suffered an injury problem during the win over the Magpies, and may be set for a spell on the sidelines.
Liverpool boss Klopp gives Nunez injury update
Speaking after the game, the German said (via Liverpool’s official website): “It’s now as well the bad news: Darwin has something on his shoulder. We will see.
“In the end, he had to go off with a shoulder issue and we need further assessment. I don’t know in the moment.
“It’s painful, but hopefully it’s just painful and nothing more.”
Reds supporters will be desperately hoping Nunez’s shoulder issue is not anything serious, with the Uruguayan beginning to once again find his form in front of goal.
Liverpool do at least have options to replace him, with Jota and Firmino now back fit. Nunez was substituted on the hour mark, with Firmino replacing him, whilst Jota also entered the field of play in place of Gakpo.
The forward is a doubt for Tuesday’s Champions League clash with Real Madrid, and Klopp may have to turn to other players to make an impact in the opening leg of the last 16 tie at Anfield.
Real Madrid handed major injury boost ahead of Liverpool Champions League clash
Real Madrid have reportedly been handed a major injury boost ahead of their Champions League last 16 tie against Liverpool.
The two sides will face off across two legs in a repeat of last season’s final, which Real won 1-0 at the Stade de France in Paris.
Carlo Ancelotti’s side followed up their La Liga triumph with a Champions League crown. Liverpool won the FA Cup and Carabao Cup.
Whilst Jurgen Klopp’s Reds have struggled in the Premier League this season, however, Real remain contenders for the La Liga title.
But two losses and a draw in their last five games means they are now eight points behind leaders Barcelona, who have recorded 53 points from their 20 games thus far.
And Los Blancos have had to contend with a number of injuries, with Karim Benzema, Eden Hazard, Ferland Mendy, Lucas Vazquez and Eder Militao all sidelined for Saturday’s surprise 1-0 defeat to Mallorca.
In addition, Thibaut Courtois suffered an injury in the warmup after being selected to start the match, and was unable to participate.
However, the Spanish giants have received a timely boost ahead of the first leg of their Liverpool clash at Anfield.
Real Madrid handed pre-Liverpool injury boost
Real have included the injured trio of Courtois, Hazard and Benzema in their squad for the Club World Cup, which takes place later this week.
Ancelotti has told reporters that he hopes all three players will return to action for the final on Saturday, should Real make it to that stage. They face Egyptian side Al Ahly, who were runners-up in last season’s CAF Champions League, in the semi-final.
He said (quotes via Football Espana): “They are on the list because we believe they can recover by Saturday, but they have stayed in Madrid so that they can be treated well there.
“If we reach the final and they are fine, they can come on Thursday.”
If all three recover in time, it is likely that the trio will be available to take on Liverpool, with the return of reigning Ballon d’Or holder Benzema a significant obstacle for the Reds to overcome despite the France international’s injury troubles this term.
