Ian Wright admits he was terrified of 24-year-old Liverpool player before Sunday’s game

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Liverpool were missing a clutch of key players during Sunday’s disappointing defeat against Arsenal.

There was confidence for the Reds going into the game having beaten the Gunners the previous month. But with Mohamed Salah already missing, they were dealt another blow two days before the game – Jurgen Klopp confirming that Darwin Nunez was also a doubt.

In the end, Nunez was fit enough for the bench. With Dominik Szoboszlai suffering a fresh injury setback though, Liverpool were suddenly without three major players to start. This felt like being a real boost for Arsenal, and that’s how it turned out.

And speaking on the Wrighty’s House podcast following the Gunners’ 3-1 win, Arsenal legend Ian Wright admitted that Nunez’s absence in particular came as a relief.

“I was really worried about the fact it was going to be Jorginho with Zinchenko,” said the pundit. “That’s why Declan Rice probably had to play on the left to deal with any problems that Zinchenko would have, which we know he can have against Liverpool.

“If I’m totally honest, I was quite pleased that someone like Darwin Nunez wasn’t playing, the chaos he causes.”

Liverpool miss Nunez threat

The news that Nunez was struggling with an issue ahead of the game felt big at the time. The 24-year-old has been in really good form recently.

In the absence of Salah, Darwin has, along with Diogo Jota, been Liverpool’s most threatening forward.

Without his pace, directness and ability to occupy whole defences, the Reds just didn’t ever look like having enough against Arsenal.

When he did come on, Nunez had the feel if a player who wasn’t quite ready. Perhaps you have to give credit to the Gunners for that, they kept Liverpool’s No.9 in check even after he entered the pitch.

But we think it was more a case of Darwin not being completely comfortable.

Despite that, there was still one moment where he showed exactly why Wright was correct to fear him so much.

Skipping past Gabriel into the Arsenal box, Nunez should probably have done better with an effort that he lashed over the crossbar. Had he got the shot on target, or even slid the ball across to Jota, Liverpool might have scored. 1-1 at the time, it was a big moment.

He may be slightly erratic still, but Darwin has quickly become so important to the Reds. Fingers crossed he returns to full fitness for the weekend.