Injury News: 23-year-old Liverpool star withdraws from national squad

Liverpool striker Darwin Nunez removed from the Uruguay national squad due to injury

Uruguay have removed Liverpool star Darwin Nunez

from their squad for the upcoming international break due to an apparent injury issue.

The 23-year-old featured in the 1-0 defeat the Reds suffered at the hands of Real Madrid in the second leg of the Champions League round of 16. However, the striker was replaced at around the hour mark, with Roberto Firmino coming on.

La Celeste have released a statement (h/t Liverpool Echo) confirming Nunez’s absence. The former SL Benfica star has been replaced by Jonathan Rodriguez, who plays for Liga MX club América.

“Darwin Nunez will not participate due to injury and instead, the interim technical director of the Uruguayan team, Marcelo Broli, called Jonathan Rodríguez.”

As per El Observador (h/t Liverpool Echo), the 23-year-old has suffered a ‘cut ankle’. Subsequently, the South American team ‘reported’ the same to the Anfield side. But it remains to be seen how long the forward will be out for.

Nunez was signed by Liverpool in the summer of 2022. In Portugal, the striker led Benfica’s line to good effect in the previous campaign. He was the Primeira Liga outfit’s talisman.

Upon the Uruguayan’s move to England, he has taken time to settle in. This season, the 23-year-old has made 33 appearances in all competitions for the Reds, scoring 14 goals and providing four assists.

Unfortunately, the Merseyside outfit’s forward line still seem a bit disjointed. Mohammed Salah has been the only attacker from previous years to have played consistently in the current campaign.

Luis Diaz has been on the sidelines for a considerable period. Diogo Jota has not played much either this term due to fitness issues. Jurgen Klopp has had to rely on January signing Cody Gakpo as a result.

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Thankfully, Liverpool will only return to action after the international break, with the Reds facing Manchester City. Hopefully, Nunez will be back in action by then for the Anfield side.