Liverpool striker Darwin Nunez has withdrawn from the Uruguay squad for their friendlies against the Basque Country and Ivory Coast after complaining of hamstring discomfort.
Nunez played the full 120 minutes as Liverpool saw their quadruple hopes dashed by Manchester United on Sunday, with Amad Diallo’s last-gasp strike handing the Red Devils a 4-3 FA Cup quarter-final win.
However, Nunez – who has 17 goals and 12 assists in all competitions this season – complained of soreness in his hamstring after the defeat.
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Speaking to BBC Sport on Sunday, Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp said: “The boys have to recover and we will go for everything after the international break.
“We hope they come back healthy. Lucho [Luis Diaz] felt his groin, Darwin his hamstring, Cody [Gakpo] twisted his ankle. They play again in four or five days, it’s crazy.”
However, following discussions with Uruguay boss Marcelo Bielsa, Nunez will not feature in Uruguay’s upcoming games, which are taking place in Bilbao and Lens.
📋 𝗟𝗜𝗦𝗧𝗔 𝗗𝗘 𝗖𝗢𝗡𝗩𝗢𝗖𝗔𝗗𝗢𝗦
Los elegidos de Marcelo Bielsa para la Fecha FIFA de marzo.
📺 HTTPS://T.CO/QVMBRYJR1J #ELEQUIPOQUENOSUNE PIC.TWITTER.COM/UHS2OJTPGJ
— Selección Uruguaya (@Uruguay) MARCH 18, 2024
It is thought both Liverpool and Uruguay agree that Nunez needs a rest, and his participation in the Reds’ next Premier League game – against Brighton and Hove Albion on March 31 – is not believed to be in doubt.
Liverpool have been beset by injury problems recently, with Nunez joining Mohamed Salah and Diogo Jota in missing the Reds’ EFL Cup final win over Chelsea last month.
The Reds were without Alisson, Trent-Alexander Arnold and Ibrahima Konate for Sunday’s game at Old Trafford, though the latter duo are expected to return after the international break.
