Striker Darwin Nunez was one of three Liverpool players withdrawn before the start of the second half against Brentford, giving manager Jurgen Klopp a bit of a headache
Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp said Darwin Nunez “felt something” as the Uruguayan only lasted until half-time at Brentford.
Nunez scored Liverpool’s first goal in their victory at the Gtech Community Stadium, latching on to a Diogo Jota header and racing through before chipping Mark Flekken. He didn’t have the opportunity to add to the strike in the second half, with Cody Gakpo taking his place upon the restart.
The former Benfica man wasn’t the only player to make an early exit. Curtis Jones and Jota both made way before half-time and will be doubts going into next Sunday’s Carabao Cup final against Chelsea.
Liverpool were already without Trent Alexander-Arnold for the game, with Alisson and Dominik Szoboszlai both doubts. More injuries are the last thing Klopp will want, but it’s a waiting game as far as Nunez is concerned.
“It is mixed emotions, we lost players which we don’t know how serious it is,” Klopp told TNT Sports. “It doesn’t look great for either of them [Jones and Jota].
“Definitely,” he said when asked if the Reds had been unlucky with injuries. “I think there was a knock on Curtis [Jones]. It was a challenge with Diogo [Jota] as well and Darwin [Nunez] we are not sure if he has something or not, he felt something. We will see,” the manager added. “It was never easy for us, at the moment it is fine. We have 57 points and in a few days play again.”
There were positives for Klopp, though, not least with the return of Mohamed Salah. The Egyptian was playing for the first time since picking up an injury on international duty in January and laid on a goal for Alexis Mac Allister before scoring one of his own.
“He is amazing,” Mac Allister told TNT Sports when asked about Salah. “I am very happy for him. He has been out and a little bit frustrated about it but he came back and in just a couple of minutes, scored and assist. He is an amazing player and a great leader and an important player for us.
“We have an important game against Luton and Chelsea and we just try and take it game by game and do our best,” added the Argentine. The Luton game is scheduled for Wednesday, with Klopp’s team aiming for three points and no new injuries against the Hatters.