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Darwin Nunez condemned across football world after 'disgraceful' act

andrew reid
·4-min read
Pictured right, Darwin Nunez headbutts Crystal Palace rival Joachim Andersen.
Darwin Nunez saw red for Liverpool after a headbutt to the face of Crystal Palace player Joachim Andersen. Pic: Getty/Optus Sport

Darwin Nunez has endured a home Premier League debut to forget after being sent off for a 'moment of madness' in Liverpool's 1-1 draw with Crystal Palace at Anfield.

Luis Diaz scored a wonder goal to rescue a point for the 10-man hosts against a well organised Palace side.

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On a frustrating night for Jurgen Klopp's Reds, Wilfried Zaha put the visitors in front with a first-half opener, before Nunez saw red just before the hour.

Liverpool's big money signing from Benfica reacted to being shoved by Joachim Andersen in the back, immediately squaring up to the Palace player.

However, the Uruguayan left referee Paul Tierney with little choice but to send him off after responding with a headbutt to Andersen's face.

The incident left fans seething on social media, with Nunez slammed for letting his side down.

Diaz's superb individual effort got his team level, though, before last season's Premier League runners-up set about trying to find a winner but to no avail.

It represents another early season blow to Liverpool's hopes of running champions Manchester City close again in the title race, already four points behind their rivals, but as with their opening draw against Fulham, it may feel like a point gained for Klopp in the circumstances.

Seen here, Crystal Palace forward Wilfried Zaha scores the opening goal at Anfield after firing past Alisson Becker in the Liverpool goal.
Crystal Palace forward Wilfried Zaha scores the opening goal at Anfield after firing past Alisson Becker in the Liverpool goal. Pic: Getty

Liverpool started brightly as they tried to find an early opener, with Nunez mishitting a volley at the far post, while Mohamed Salah also went close to scoring from Trent Alexander-Arnold's pull back, but the Egyptian’s side-footed attempt whizzed just wide of the near post.

After absorbing so much at the other end, it was Palace who took the lead in the 33rd minute when Eberechi Eze got away from Fabinho before playing Zaha in on goal, with the Ivory Coast international placing his shot past Alisson into the bottom-right corner.

Liverpool thought they were level just before the break as Harvey Elliott's chip found Nunez down the left side of the penalty area, but his deflected shot came back off the post.

Things went from bad to worse for Nunez, with the Uruguayan set to miss a number of crucial games for the Reds in the wake of his send-off.

However, the Anfield atmosphere soon improved as Diaz dribbled inside several Palace defenders before unleashing a rocket of a shot past Vicente Guaita's despairing dive to his left.

The hosts tried to find a winner despite having fewer players, though Palace could also have won it when Zaha missed a great chance at the far post, but both were forced to settle for a point.

with agencies

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