What was the lad even thinking?
Ahead of Liverpool’s first home tie of the Premier League season, Jurgen Klopp was in spiky form when asked about Darwin Nunez.
The Reds boss was asked by Sky’s Geoff Shreeves for his reasoning in giving the Uruguayan his first start at Anfield. Klopp immediately fired back:
“I’m really curious that you see the line-up and prepare an interview and ask the questions you ask…but okay.”
🗣️ "Because we have no other striker" 🤷♂️
Jurgen Klopp on why he's handed Darwin Nunez his first Premier League start. pic.twitter.com/fp4eVEmaDm
— Sky Sports Premier League (@SkySportsPL) August 15, 2022
Darwin Nunez receives straight red card
Jurgen Klopp had stated Liverpool ‘have no other striker’, with Diogo Jota still out injured and both Sadio Mané and Divock Origi departed on transfers.
Nunez made an impact off the bench in the Community shield, and the 2-2 draw with Fulham, and he struck the post at the end of the first half. Crystal Palace led, at the break, through a lovely Wilifried Zaha goal, but Klopp gave his starting XI the first 15 minutes of the second half to make amends.
Nunez did not last that long. After a clash with Joachim Andersen near the Palace box, Nunez turned and stuck his head on the Dane, before being shown a straight red card.
A moment of madness from Darwin Núñez and he's shown a straight red card! 🤯 pic.twitter.com/YAErzuuUKq
— Sky Sports Premier League (@SkySportsPL) August 15, 2022
The striker’s head was clearly frazzled by the incident, and the red card, but his refusal to leave the pitch saw James Milner run over to have a stern word.
Over on the sideline, Klopp could not believe what he was seeing. As Nunez argued with Palace players and the referee, Klopp had the same reaction as almost everyone else watching – just walk away. Klopp bellowed:
“Get off! GET OFF!”
The striker forlornly departed and Liverpool had to fight on with only 10 men. His teammate Luis Diaz scored a belter, soon after, to set up a grandstand finish.
Related links.
- Erik ten Hag’s Man United demands show why he should reject their offer.
- Gary Neville and Jamie Redknapp involved in heated clash over Man United.
- “I will not admit that” – Erik ten Hag irked by press conference question about his tactics.
