Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp could be staring down the barrel of yet another injury problem after Darwin Nunez was withdrawn from the Uruguay squad with a mystery fitness issue.
Losing the former Benfica man would serve as a hugely damaging blow for the Reds as they aim to secure Champions League football for next season. After a shaky start, Nunez has come into his own in recent months and is beginning to look more like the £85million player Liverpool expected following his move to Merseyside last summer.
Nunez boasts eight goals and three assists across 20 Premier League appearances this term, but there are fears he could face an extended spell on the sidelines following news he has pulled out of Uruguay's squad for the upcoming round of international fixtures.
The 23-year-old was gearing up for games against Japan and South Korea, but will be watching on from home. There has been no confirmation in regards to what kind of injury Nunez has actually sustained and therefore the length of time he could be out for remains a mystery.
What is known is that he was withdrawn from the squad at Liverpool's request. The Reds kept fans informed via an update on their website that read: "Darwin Nunez has withdrawn from international duty with Uruguay for the upcoming March international break.
"The Liverpool forward had been initially included in his nation’s squad for friendly fixtures against Japan and South Korea.
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"Nunez will now miss the games due to an injury, as confirmed by the Uruguayan Football Association, and will instead receive treatment at the AXA Training Centre."
That is, of course, a huge concern for Klopp, who has already had to contend with a number of devastating injuries this season. The Reds have had to go without Virgil van Dijk, Jordan Henderson and Thiago for significant periods at varying stages over the course of the campaign.
As recently as earlier this week, Liverpool's midfield prodigy Stefan Bajcetic confirmed that his season was over in an emotional Instagram statement.
"It’s very sad to say goodbye to this amazing season for me but I understand this is part of football and will only make me stronger physically and mentally," the teenager wrote.
"I would also like to say thank you to you reds for all the support through the season and I assure you I will do my best to be back stronger than ever."
The Reds should have just about enough to get by in Bajcetic's absence, but the same cannot be said for Nunez if he also is on the treatment table for too long.
