Fresh footage of Darwin Nunez's battle with Crystal Palace defender Joachim Andersen shows what caused the Liverpool striker to lash out on Monday night.
Nunez, 23, was sent off on his Anfield debut after headbutting Andersen, 26. The score was 1-0 to Palace at the time and Liverpool needed a superb strike from Luis Diaz to salvage a 1-1 draw - a result that leaves the Reds four points behind Premier League-leaders Manchester City.
Liverpool supporters were perplexed as to why Nunez lost his cool on Merseyside. Yet video evidence shows the Uruguayan and Anderson were engrossed in a tense mental and physical battle throughout the game, with the latter winning this time.
In the footage, Anderson pushed Nunez on two separate occasions and said something to the Liverpool ace to get a reaction. Nunez was clearly annoyed by Anderson's comments and took retribution moments later with a cheeky kick on the back of his legs.
That offence went unpunished. Nunez then tapped Anderson to remind him of his presence, but the Palace defender didn't back down. Moments later, he held on to Nunez and again got a reaction, with the striker pushing him away and flinging his arms.
Nunez was again fortunate as Anderson would've had every right to go down if the forward's right arm made contact with his face. Nunez's frustration grew even more when the referee refused to give a penalty against Anderson for a push.
What did you think of Darwin Nunez's dismissal? Let us know in the comments below!
In truth, it would've been a very soft decision. More pushes followed before Nunez eventually crossed the line and headbutted Anderson right in front of referee Paul Tierney. The official was left with no choice but to show a red card for violent conduct.
The footage shows how Anderson pushed Nunez to the edge, both physically and mentally. Yet it also proves the striker could've been in trouble with the referee sooner. As Gary Neville argued, Nunez will need to wise up if he's to be successful at Liverpool.
"I think he’ll be a target for defenders," Neville told Sky Sports' Monday Night Football after the game. "I think they’ll poke him, prod him, in terms of punishment I think Klopp will have a stern word with him whether it’s tomorrow or after.
"The player it hurts the most when you get sent off is yourself, that’s the loneliest place in the world, when you’re in the dressing room on your own - you might have the kitman with you - it’s horrible.
"You’re in that dressing room you’re fearing for them because you’ve let them down, you’re losing, you’ll feel bad because you’ve let them down. So you don’t need to say much to a player that’s been sent off because it’s bad enough.
"I’m sure he’ll go around after the game and say sorry to them all - I’m sure of that. The rest of the lads in the dressing room, because it’s a good dressing room, will pick him up and that’s the way it goes."
