Liverpool striker Darwin Nunez has dropped out of the Uruguay squad after complaining of discomfort in his hamstring following Sunday’s FA Cup quarter-final defeat to Manchester United.
The former Benfica attacker, 24, will play no part in the Europe-based friendlies against the Basque Country on March 23 and Ivory Coast three days later following discussions with national team boss Marcelo Bielsa.
Nunez, who played the full 120 minutes at Old Trafford, has been hampered by a number of hamstring issues so far this season, with both club and country keen not to over-burden him.
The fact that he will get some much needed rest during the international break will be a source of great relief to Jurgen Klopp.
Klopp said to BBC Sport after the 4-3 loss: “Now, the boys go on international duty. We hope they come back healthy. Lucho (Diaz) felt his groin, Darwin (Nunez) hamstring. Cody (Gakpo) twisted his ankle.”
Nunez has scored 17 goals in all competitions for Liverpool so far this season and he has also been a creative force with 12 assists.
(Robbie Jay Barratt – AMA/Getty Images)
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