Insider on whether Darwin Nunez will start for Liverpool v Chelsea – ‘I’m expecting…’
Darwin Nunez is back in contention for Liverpool against Chelsea but starting him would be a risk considering the nature of his latest injury.
That is the view of medical expert Ben Dinnery, who runs the Premier Injuries site and has a background in injury and data analysis, speaking exclusively to Football Insider.
The 23-year-old Uruguayan forward was absent for Liverpool’s 3-0 loss to Brighton last week and was again nowhere to be seen in the matchday squad for Liverpool’s FA Cup replay against Wolves on Tuesday night.
However, Jurgen Klopp told reporters that he is hopeful that Nunez will return for Saturday’s (21 January) Premier League clash against Chelsea.
Nunez has scored five goals in his 13 Premier League appearances since his big-money move to Anfield in the summer.
Dinnery believes Klopp may consider starting Nunez because of his short time on the sidelines, but insists it’d be a risk considering the injury to his hamstring.
“Liverpool are very hopeful that Nunez can return this weekend,” Dinnery told Football Insider’s Sean Fisher.
“I’d expect him to be in and around that squad and in contention for some significant minutes.
“He hasn’t spent too much time on the sidelines so you can’t rule out a start but Jurgen Klopp would be taking a roll of the dice.
“Because it is a hamstring injury that Nunez suffered and Liverpool need to be very wary of what they’re asking a player to do when fresh from an injury.
“But in terms of his progression and return to training, he’s certainly back and in contention for the visit of Chelsea.“
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