Darwin Nunez pulls out of Uruguay squad after picking up hamstring issue in Liverpool defeat to Man United
Darwin Nunez has pulled out of Uruguay’s squad after picking up a hamstring issue in Liverpool’s FA Cup defeat to Manchester United.
Uruguay have named their 27-man list for upcoming friendlies against the Basque Country on March 23 and Ivory Coast three days later, and Nunez will play no part.
The striker played the full 120 minutes as Liverpool were beaten 4-3 at Old Trafford on Sunday, falling to defeat in the quarter-finals to end their quadruple hopes.
Reports suggest Nunez’s issue is not a serious one, but Liverpool and Uruguay are keen to manage his workload and he will instead rest over the next fortnight.
It is expected that Nunez will be available when Liverpool host Brighton in the Premier League on March 31, ahead of matches against Sheffield United and Manchester United.
Focus will then shift back to the Europa League, with the first leg of a quarter-final tie against Serie A side Atalanta.
Klopp confirmed after the match at Old Trafford that Liverpool were faced with more injury problems. He said: “Now, the boys go on international duty. We hope they come back healthy. Lucho (Diaz) felt his groin, Darwin hamstring. Cody (Gakpo) twisted his ankle.”
Nunez will be heavily involved in the rest of the season and is then set for a busy summer, with Uruguay involved in the Copa America.
Marco Bielsa’s side get their tournament up and running on June 24 against Panama, with Bolivia and USA also drawn in the same group.
Uruguay last won the Copa America in 2011, and have failed to make it beyond the quarter-finals since.