Jurgen Klopp says 24-year-old Liverpool player is injured and may miss Arsenal game

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Jurgen Klopp has admitted that Liverpool have a fresh injury concern ahead of facing Arsenal.

The Reds head to the Emirates on Sunday in a big clash at the top of the Premier League table. Having seen a number of players return from fitness problems recently, Liverpool appeared to have a strong squad available.

That still looks like being the case, but speaking in his pre-Arsenal press conference this morning, Klopp revealed that he now has one new selection issue – Darwin Nunez.

“I don’t know if Darwin is available or not,” admitted the manager. “Someone stood on his foot after about 20 minutes [against Chelsea], it was very painful.

“He only took the boot off after the game, he didn’t want to see it before, he knew there was something. He left the stadium in a boot, not a football boot. Nothing broken, X-ray clear but it’s swollen and we’ll have to see if he can get his foot in a boot.

“We know that takes time. I didn’t see him this morning, we’ll have to wait a little bit.”

Nunez picks up issue

This is a real shame for Darwin. Judging from Jurgen’s comments, it seems unlikely that he’ll be available now on Sunday. Best case scenario would be that the 24-year-old can make the bench.

If it’s possible for him to play any part, then Liverpool have to make sure that he does.

Nunez can still be a huge nuisance from the bench and could be key in making life difficult for a tiring Arsenal side.

Still, it would have been nice to have him on the pitch from the start. Despite his lack of a goal on Wednesday, the Uruguayan actually had a really good game.

Rio Ferdinand compared Nunez to compatriot and former Liverpool striker Luis Suarez after the game.

He may not have scored, but he gave the Chelsea defence a nightmare all game long. That he did so having suffered a swollen foot early in the game makes it all the more impressive.

In a good moment performance wise, Arsenal will not have been looking forward to facing him.

Thankfully, it doesn’t sound like it’ll be a long issue for Darwin. Let’s hope we see him on the teamsheet in some capacity on Sunday.