AXA Training Centre, Liverpool, Britain - February 20, 2023. Liverpool's Darwin Nunez during training.
Liverpool striker Darwin Nunez has a ‘chance’ to be available for tonight’s Champions League clash against Real Madrid, according to Jurgen Klopp.
The Lowdown: Nunez injury concern
The Uruguayan had to be substituted during the 2-0 Premier League victory at Newcastle last weekend after sustaining a shoulder injury, causing concern over the extent of the problem.
The Reds manager confirmed after the game that the 23-year-old was in ‘pain’ and would need to be further assessed, but he was spotted in training on Monday, and another positive update has since emerged.
The Latest: Nunez fitness update
Speaking during his pre-match press conference, Klopp hinted that Nunez could be available to face Carlo Ancelotti’s side at Anfield.
Quoted by Liverpool’s official website, the German said: “There’s a chance. From all the possible scenarios, apart from being absolutely nothing; that’s not the case.
“We have to see how he can deal with the pain [and] when we know that, we make a decision.”
The Verdict: Boost for Klopp
Nunez has been dubbed a ‘predator’ by journalist James Dodd, and it’ll be a huge boost for Klopp should he have the forward back at his disposal for tonight’s showdown.
The Uruguayan has posted 15 goal contributions in 28 appearances on Merseyside and is currently averaging four shots per top-flight game, highlighting his threat in the final third.
The 23-year-old also ranks in the 99th percentile among strikers in Europe’s top five leagues for non-penalty expected goals, shots taken, and non-penalty expected goals plus assisted goals, an indication of his unrelenting nature at the apex of the Reds’ attack.
Liverpool will need him on form if they want to pick up a positive result against the team who vanquished them in last year’s Champions League final, and Klopp’s comments offer hope that Nunez will get the chance to test himself against Ancelotti’s team tonight.
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