Liverpool striker Darwin Nunez has been withdrawn from the Uruguay national team for this month’s international break due to what is believed to be an ankle injury.
Due to the injury, the 23-year-old will not be available for Uruguay’s friendlies against Japan and South Korea.
Darwin Nunez was enlisted in Diego Alonso’s team for the trip to east Asia for friendlies, as Uruguay prepare to meet Japan on the 24th before playing South Korea on the 28th of March.
Instead, the 23-year-old Uruguayan star will stay in England to recover at Liverpool’s training ground.
The Merseyside club also confirmed Nunez’s latest injury knock in a statement, which read: “Darwin Nunez has withdrawn from international duty with Uruguay for the upcoming March international break.”
“The Liverpool forward had been initially included in his nation’s squad for friendly fixtures against Japan and South Korea.
“Nunez will now miss the games due to an injury, as confirmed by the Uruguayan Football Association, and will instead receive treatment at the AXA Training Centre.”
Meanwhile, Nunez’s injury news came as a huge blow for Liverpool who have been struggling to step up into the Premier League top four before they were eliminated from the Champions League tournament by Real Madrid.
No official statement has been given concerning Nunez’s injury but reports have suggested that the Uruguayan suffered a cut to his ankle when Liverpool lost on a 6-2 aggregate thrashing against Real Madrid at the Bernabeu on Wednesday, March 15.
According to reports, the Uruguayan Football Association must pay a fine of $20,000 as they had promised to bring 15 players who played at the 2022 Qatar World Cup to Asia for friendlies against Japan and South Korea.
And the sidelined Nunez who was dropped from Uruguay’s international squad due to a “deep cut to the ankle” has been replaced by Jonathan Rodriguez.
Liverpool manager, Jurgen Klopp will be hoping the injury to Nunez is not too serious as his side strives to finish in the top four of the Premier League campaign.
Liverpool is six points behind fourth-place Tottenham who have 49 points but does have a game in hand.
Finishing among the top four will be Klopp’s only hope of qualification into Europe’s most prestigious competition next season.
However, achieving this feat without Nunez is now a concern to Reds fans with the thought he could have a stint on the sidelines.
Darwin Nunez has been a regular starter for Liverpool boss, Klopp, scoring eight goals and contributing three assists in 20 appearances in the Premier League this season since his £85 million move from Benfica in the summer.
The club can only hope he recuperates faster and assists them to break through the Premier League top four as the extent of his injury isn’t currently known.
What’s Next for Liverpool and Darwin Nunez?
Liverpool will return to action hopefully with Nunez after the international break against Manchester City in the Premier League on the 1st of April.
The match will take place at Manchester City’s Etihad Stadium and kickoff time is scheduled for 12:30 pm.
