Marcelo Bielsa says Darwin Nunez is struggling with ‘muscular’ problems (Picture: Getty)
Uruguay boss Marcelo Bielsa has provided an injury update on Liverpool star Darwin Nunez and says the striker is struggling with ‘muscular difficulties’.
Nunez started Uruguay’s World Cup qualifying match against Ecuador on Tuesday but many were surprised when Bielsa decided to substitute the player at half-time.
The 24-year-old had starred in Uruguay’s previous game, providing two assists in a 3-1 victory over Chile.
‘Darwin arrived with some muscular difficulties and this limited his actions,’ former Leeds United manager Bielsa said.
‘I thought it necessary to replace him because he worked too much trying to press and attack in the last game.’
Nunez has been in fine form for Liverpool this season, producing a heroic performance at Newcastle last month in which he came off the bench and scored two goals in the last 10 minutes to secure the win when his side only had 10 men.
He followed that up with an assist in Liverpool’s last match, as Jurgen Klopp’s side recorded a 3-0 victory over Aston Villa.
More: Trending
The Reds return to action on Saturday when they travel to face Wolves – and it remains to be seen whether or not Nunez will be fully fit for that clash.
Liverpool signed Nunez in a £85m deal last summer and he has registered 17 goals and five assists across his opening 46 games for the Merseyside club.
Klopp heavily praised Nunez after his recent performance against Newcastle and revealed that the striker was ‘not happy’ about starting the match on the bench, which left him ‘fired up’ when he came on.
MORE : Jurgen Klopp’s agent responds to fresh Germany job speculation
MORE : Liverpool ‘admire’ West Ham star as they weigh up possible Mo Salah replacements