There are enough supposed absences from Old Trafford next Monday without Liverpool striker Darwin Nunez having added to them.
Manchester United fans, unhappy with the ownership of the club and their team's dismal start to the Premier League season, are being urged to boycott the visit of Jurgen Klopp's side in protest against the Glazer family.
Quite how many resist the opportunity to witness the bitter North West rivals once again lock horns remains to be seen. But one person who definitely won't be there - or at least be spotted on the pitch - is Nunez following his dismissal against Crystal Palace on Monday.
READ MORE: 'Has to control himself' - Virgil van Dijk's sends Darwin Nunez message after Liverpool red card
Nunez's actions in aiming his head towards the face of Joachim Andersen not once but twice were branded "really stupid" by the Palace defender, who readily admitted he was intent on annoying the 23-year-old throughout the game. There remains a possibility the Football Association may review the incident and extend the three-match ban.
But the red card seems somewhat out of character for Nunez, who had picked up only 17 yellow cards in 167 senior appearances at club and international level with his one previous sending-off when dismissed for two bookable offences before half-time when playing for Almeria against Elche in the Spanish second division.
In terms of expectation and spotlight, though, his Anfield debut for Liverpool was arguably the most high-profile of his career. There was, of course, the Champions League quarter-final against the Reds back in April in which he scored in both legs, but Benfica were very much the underdogs in that tie. Adjusting to being a target for Premier League defenders - and the glare brought on by that £64million price tag - will go some way to helping Nunez show Monday was an aberration rather than a portent.
And he doesn't have too far to look for inspiration in that regard. Both Mohamed Salah and Luis Diaz were given similarly rough treatment by the Palace defence with scant protection from referee Paul Tierney. The duo, though, continually brushed themselves down and got on with the job, Diaz netting a superb equaliser and Salah one of Liverpool's better players on the night.
One mild concern will be that while the Reds are clearly tweaking their attacking approach to accommodate Nunez - the number of crosses first half was testament to that - they appeared far more at ease going forward once the Uruguayan had departed prematurely. And with Nunez now having ruled himself out of much-needed on-field time to continue building relationships with his new team-mates, there will be a fear the forward will be left playing catch-up during the first few months of the season.
How Liverpool cope at Old Trafford without Nunez - and a real trick has been missed with him being potentially up against diminutive new United centre-back Lisandro Martinez - will depend much on the fitness of Roberto Firmino, who was absent on Monday with a minor muscle problem.
Firmino was excellent in the 5-0 win at United last season with his ability to drop deep causing the home defence all sorts of issues. Being a straight replacement for Nunez would be the obvious call.
But if the Brazilian doesn't make it, Klopp has a headscratcher with Diogo Jota also missing. Mohamed Salah ended the game against Palace as the central striker and has experience in the position as part of a 4-2-3-1. If Klopp goes down that route, Harvey Elliott could switch to the right wing with Naby Keita - another impressive performer at Old Trafford last time - coming into an advanced central role in support of Salah. Fabio Carvalho is a further option, but it would be some call to hand him a full Liverpool debut in such an imposing fixture.
Then there's the fact only twice since December 2019 have Liverpool started with anything resembling 4-2-3-1 with Klopp's loyalty to 4-3-3 steadfast throughout last season. Needs must, however. And having had to fashion a new attacking way following Nunez's arrival, the Reds could find themselves remoulding again mere weeks later.
READ NEXT:
-
Joachim Andersen reveals why Darwin Nunez was angry with him before Liverpool red card
-
Liverpool now have 11 players who are giving Jurgen Klopp a problem for Manchester United
-
What Jurgen Klopp shouted at Darwin Nunez just after Liverpool striker was sent off
-
Joachim Andersen shares Instagram abuse sent to him after Darwin Nunez red card against Liverpool
-
Harvey Elliott makes Liverpool dressing room claim as Manchester United response targeted
