Liverpool dealt blow in race for Champions League as Darwin Nunez pulls out of Uruguay squad with mystery injury
DARWIN NUNEZ has been forced to withdraw from the Uruguay squad due to injury which could prove costly for Liverpool’s Champions League qualification hopes.
The South American forward has been a big part of Jurgen Klopp’s side this season since his £85million move from Benfica in the summer.
Darwin Nunez is Liverpool’s second top scorer in all competitions this season with only Mohamed Salah netting more
He has managed eight goals and three assists in 20 league appearances this campaign.
His contribution to the side could be over though, as the Uruguay national team confirmed on social media that he has had to withdraw from the squad with injury ahead of the international break.
The Sky Blue are preparing to face both Japan and South Korea in friendly fixtures over the coming weeks.
Although the extent of his injury isn’t currently known it will be a concern to Reds fans that he could have a stint on the sidelines.
Liverpool have been struggling to reach their usual high standards this season and currently sit in sixth place in the Premier League, seven points off the Champions League places.
Finishing in the top four will be their only hope of qualification into Europe’s most prestigious competition after they were knocked out of the Champions League last 16 following a 6-2 aggregate thrashing against Real Madrid.
Klopp’s side have a tough run of fixtures ahead as they face Manchester City, Chelsea and Arsenal in their next three games.
The news of Nunez’s injury comes in the same week that the Merseyside club found out that Stefan Bajcetic would miss the rest of the season with a thigh injury.
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They have also been without star man Luis Diaz since September and struggled to maintain a steady squad.
This season Liverpool have been a far cry from their sides of recent years that pushed Manchester City so far and achieved Premier League and Champions League success.
