Jurgen Klopp has discussed Darwin Nunez’s red card and has confirmed an injury boost for Liverpool ahead of the club’s clash with Manchester United.
Liverpool travel to face their fierce rivals at Old Trafford on Monday evening, looking to secure a first win of the Premier League season after successive draws.
The Reds will, however, be without Darwin Nunez through suspension after the summer signing was sent off on his home debut following a clash with Crystal Palace defender Joachim Andersen.
Nunez will miss three games and Klopp discussed the forward’s suspension, but confirmed Roberto Firmino is fit to return against Manchester United after missing the draw with Palace.
“Bobby [Firmino] has trained as normal and is ready,” Klopp told his pre-match press conference.
“Of course we spoke to Darwin and he was very disappointed with himself. The things that the centre-half [Joachim Andersen] did, he’s not the only player in the world doing these kinds of things.
“We’ve never had a situation like this before while I’ve been here as far as I know, so I’m not an expert in these talks.
“But it was obvious that he knew. He apologised. We all make mistakes.”
🗣 "The things the centre half did, he's not the only player in the world who is doing these kind of things."
Jurgen Klopp speaking about the reaction from Darwin Nunez following his sending off pic.twitter.com/e4IGFX8mWa
— Football Daily (@footballdaily) August 19, 2022
Meanwhile, Klopp confirmed that Joe Gomez will start the game at Old Trafford after returning as a substitute against Palace. The centre-back was deemed not fit enough to start after a knock, with Nat Phillips partnering Virgil van Dijk in the absence of Joel Matip and Ibrahima Konate.
“It is an opportunity,” Klopp said on Gomez. “He only came back to team training on Sunday from a little issue. Nat Phillips played a really good game against Palace. Joe is back, he will start and it’s a big opportunity.”
Klopp also addressed rumours that Naby Keita could leave the club. The midfielder has entered the final 12 months of his deal and has been linked with an exit.
The German explained his reason for leaving Keita as an unused substitute against Palace and confirmed the 27-year-old is in contention to feature at Old Trafford.
“I have to respond on ‘news’ but if you learn on my side 0.0% is behind the news,” he said.
“He was ill, now he is in training and looking really good. Not a player overly happy when he’s not playing, but nor should he be, so it’s completely fine.”
