Núñez tipped to face Ajax, Thiago doubtful
Darwin Núñez sat out Liverpool’s shock defeat to Nottingham Forest but is expected to return against Ajax on Wednesday.
Liverpool manager Jürgen Klopp expects Darwin Núñez to be fit to face Ajax in the Reds’ next game after the striker missed Saturday’s shock defeat to Nottingham Forest with a hamstring injury.
Uruguay striker Núñez scored the only goal of the game on Wednesday as the Reds beat West Ham, building on a lively – albeit chaotic – cameo against Manchester City last weekend. But he was withdrawn in the second half with a hamstring strain and that prevented him from featuring at the City Ground, his absence a blow as the Reds lacked presence in attack. Forest won 1-0 thanks to a goal from former Liverpool youngster Taiwo Awoniyi, and Klopp will be desperate for his side to get the defeat out of their system as quickly as possible.
Liverpool can secure their progression to the last 16 of the Champions League when they face Ajax in Amsterdam on Wednesday and Klopp expects his big-money signing to return. “Darwin should be back, this game was just too early,” Klopp explained. “Thiago got a bad ear infection last night and there was no chance for him to do anything. We drove him home. The decision was [made] in the moment he woke up and had the pain. The doctor went there and they tried everything, went to the hospital and stuff like this. It didn’t work out.”
Klopp shuffles the pack
That proved to be a spanner in the works for the Reds, with Klopp acknowledging the Spain international’s absence left his side lacking creativity in midfield. But he praised Curtis Jones for filling in, as he played in a deeper, unfamiliar role. “We were obviously lacking up front a bit runs in behind, we were lacking vision in the centre, that’s all true,” he continued. “I thought Curtis did really well but is not used to the position. He can play that definitely, but he was not even in my thoughts to start, so that all happened last night. But he did really well. But that we then did not create that much, I am not concerned about that, I’m not surprised – that’s things that can happen.” I think another day recovery would have helped him, but we played today. At least that is my knowledge in the moment. Ibou [Ibrahima Konaté] will train from [Sunday] on and Naby [Keita] as well, but Naby is far off so he starts training now after a long period.”
Liverpool’s preparations for Saturday’s match were also hampered by Thiago Alcântara falling ill in the 24 hours before kick-off and Klopp said that he is unsure if the midfielder will recover in time to face Ajax.