Jurgen Klopp has confirmed Darwin Nunez is a doubt for Liverpool’s trip to Arsenal on Sunday after picking up a foot injury.
The Liverpool manager said Nunez sustained the injury after being stepped on in their 4-1 home win over Chelsea midweek.
Klopp confirmed the Uruguayan has not broken his foot but the Liverpool striker will remain a doubt for their trip to the Emirates.
Speaking in his pre-match press conference, the Liverpool boss said: “I don’t know if Darwin is available or not because after 20 minutes somebody stepped on his foot, and it was very painful after the game.
“He only took his boot off after the game because he didn’t want to see it before, he knew there was something. So, he left the stadium in a boot, and it was not a football boot.
“So, nothing broke, X-ray clear, but it is swollen, and we have to see if he can get his foot back into a boot or not because we all know that takes time. I did not see him this morning, so we have to wait a little bit.”
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Nunez made the headlines midweek after breaking the record for the most times hitting the woodwork in a Premier League game, one of which being a first half penalty miss.
The 24-year-old hit the woodwork a total of four times in the game and has now hit the post or crossbar more than twice as many times as any other Premier League player this season.
Darwin Nunez is well out in front for woodwork hits 😬🪵 pic.twitter.com/do485XHFnR
— LiveScore (@livescore) February 1, 2024
Despite challenges faced in finding the net, Klopp reiterated his satisfaction with Liverpool’s number nine.
He said: “Breaking the record for hitting the crossbar is not a record you want to have but if you have it, it just shows you’re as close as you can get to score, and that’s exactly Darwin’s situation.
“I don’t judge Darwin because of the crossbar moments. I judge him for his assist for Lucho (Luis Diaz). Because it was late in the game. It was super decisive for us. Super important for us.
“The run he makes, the way he gets in front of the defender, he sees Lucho coming and puts the ball in to finish it off. That’s outstanding footballing wise.
“Not being bothered about your own bad luck, just staying in the game and after the game we can talk we can talk about everything. I’m more than happy with him.”
Liverpool have the chance to maintain their five-point lead at the top of the table with a victory at the Emirates on Sunday, with kick off at 4.30pm.
