02 February 2024 , 10:48
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Darwin Nunez has suffered a foot swelling so severe he can’t even put a boot on.
Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp has revealed the Reds striker is a doubt for their crunch Premier League title clash with Arsenal on Sunday. Nunez was stood on during Liverpool’s 4-1 win over Chelsea on Wednesday night and left Anfield in a protective boot.
The Uruguayan underwent a scan on Thursday that was all clear for any break. But the foot is still so swollen he can’t currently get his boot on with Kop boss Klopp insisting he will need to be assessed before the Reds travel to London on Saturday.
He said: “A little side story you don’t know, I don’t know if Darwin will be available or not because after 20 minutes, someone stepped on his foot. Very painful after the game.
“He only took the boot the game off after the game because he didn’t want to see it before. “He knew there was something. He left the stadium in a boot and it was not a football boot. Nothing broken, x-ray clear but swollen.
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“We have to see if he can get his foot back in a football boot or not. That takes time. I didn’t see him this morning so we have to wait a little bit.”
Nunez struck the bar FOUR times during Liverpool thrashing of the Blues on Wednesday night. It is the first time that has happened in the Premier League since stats began being collected in 2003 on such.
He hit the post with a penalty and then hit the woodwork a further three times but did provide the assist for Luis Diaz to get the fourth goal.
Klopp said: “Going through this game with the pain he had, that shows so much more.
“I don’t judge Darwin because of the crossbar moments. I judge him for the assist for Lucho. It was late in the game and super decisive for us, super important for us.
“The run he makes, gets in front of the defender. He sees Lucho coming and puts the ball in so Lucho can finish it off. That is outstanding football wise, not being bothered about your own bad luck.
“Just staying in the game and that is what he did. I am more than happy with him. It’s an interesting story, I get that 100%.
“Breaking the record for the crossbar is not a record you want to have but if you have it, it just shows you are as close as it gets to scoring. That is exactly Darwin’s situation. He will score.”