Liverpool secured their second consecutive league victory when they beat Newcastle United at St James’ Park on Saturday, however, Jurgen Klopp may have now been dealt a devastating blow ahead of the Champions League clash with Real Madrid.
What’s the latest on Darwin Nunez’s injury?
The Athletic’s Liverpool reporter James Pearce has confirmed that Darwin Nunez will be a doubt for the challenging meeting with Carlo Ancelotti’s side this week.
Revealing in his report, the journalist said he is ‘set to undergo a scan to determine the extent of the problem.’
This came following quotes from Klopp in his press conference who commented:
“The bad news is that Darwin has something on his shoulder so we’ll have to see.
“He had to go off with that issue and we need further assessment. I don’t know (the extent) in this moment. In this moment it is painful. Hopefully, it is just painful and nothing more.”
What does Nunez’s injury mean for Klopp?
Liverpool have built up something of a European rivalry with Real Madrid over the last five years with the pair meeting on several occasions in the Champions League.
Out of the three finals the Reds have got to in the European competition under Klopp, the Spanish giants have beaten them twice and also knocked them out of the quarter-finals back in 2021, so the two-leg clash will be extremely difficult even without the injury issues and poor form Liverpool have suffered of late.
Indeed, there is a silver lining for the Liverpool boss as both Diogo Jota and Roberto Firmino have returned to action in the last week which gives him options should Nunez be unable to recover in time for the highly-anticipated game under the floodlights at Anfield on Tuesday.
However, there is no doubt that the Uruguayan’s unpredictability, pace and chaotic nature will be sorely missed in the team’s efforts to take a positive result and give Liverpool an advantage ahead of the second leg at the Bernabeu.
Over 17 league appearances, the 23-year-old ace has scored six goals, registered three assists and created a whopping nine big chances, as well as averaging 1.2 key passes, four shots on goal and winning 3.1 duels per game, proving that he is a huge presence in the attacking threat.
With that being said, being without their dangerous frontman for such a colossal tie will be a nightmare for the Reds boss. Although still incredibly raw, he has all of the tools to pose a rampant threat to Madrid’s backline.
Indeed, should he still take to the field, the youngster will be vitally important if Liverpool wish to get a good start in the tie.
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