Darwin Nunez has dropped to the bench for Liverpool in this evening's crucial Premier League title clash with Arsenal.
The Uruguayan failed to score for the 11th game in a row as the Reds smashed West Ham in the Carabao Cup quarter-finals on Wednesday night, though Jurgen Klopp insisted that any narrative over the striker's place in the team is false.
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He told reporters: "I think in the moment we're second in the league, which is not that bad, but because we have to talk every day about us, you make stories up and all of a sudden from everything is fine after a 0-0 [against Manchester United] we start discussing who is not scoring and the frontline is not firing and stuff like this.
"If I would read all these things, I get told sometimes that it's a story and then I look at the headlines and just think, 'Oh my God. I really feel for you all that you have to make these stories up'."
However, Nunez does not keep his place in the side and instead it is Cody Gakpo leading the line for the visit of Arsenal. Ryan Gravenberch is fit but is only among the substitutes as Curtis Jones, who starred with two goals against West Ham, starts.
Alexis Mac Allister and Diogo Jota are both nearing returns from injury but this match comes too soon, while Andy Robertson won't be back until January and the likes of Joel Matip, Thiago and Stefan Bajcetic remain long-term absentees.
In defence, Jarell Quansah had made a strong case to continue in the team of late but Virgil van Dijk is partnered by the experienced Ibrahima Konate in such a big game.
Liverpool XI: Alisson; Alexander-Arnold, Konate, Van Dijk, Tsimikas; Endo, Szoboszlai, Jones; Diaz, Gakpo, Salah
Subs: Kelleher, Gomez, Quansah, Clark, Bradley, McConnell, Gravenberch, Elliott, Nunez
Time and date: 5.30pm GMT, Saturday December 23, 2023
Venue: Anfield
TV channel: Sky Sports
