Jurgen Klopp says Darwin Nunes has a chance to be ready for Real Madrid on Tuesday as he was injured during Liverpool’s win over Newcastle United on Saturday.
Nunes scored his sixth Premier League goal of the season as Liverpool triumphed 2–0 at St James’ Park, knocking down a long pass from Trent Alexander-Arnold before opening the scoring.
However, the Uruguayan international was forced out of the competition an hour later when he was held by his right shoulder in a collision with Kieran Trippier.
Asked how Nunes will recover ahead of Tuesday’s Champions League round of 16 clash with Madrid, Klopp told reporters: “There’s a chance.
“We have to see how he can handle the pain, and when we know that, we will make a decision.”
Nunes has scored seven goals (five goals, two assists) in his 13 appearances for Liverpool, and has also scored three times in the Champions League group stage draw.
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While Liverpool are hoping they can rely on Nunes to create problems for Madrid, they will have to be wary of the threat posed by Vinicius Junior on the other end.
Vinicius scored the winning goal when Madrid beat the Reds in the Champions League final last May in Paris, and his tally of 24 goals this season (16 goals, eight assists) is more than any other Blanco player .
Asked if Liverpool had a concrete plan in place to stop the Brazilian, Klopp said: “You should always try to deny them passes.
“But the problem is, if you can properly protect Vinicius, they [Karim] Benzema. If you also protect him properly, they have Rodrigo or someone else.
“If all three are protected correctly, Toni Kroos will hit the ball from 25 yards into the corner, Luka Modric has an idea, or [Aurelien] Chuameni picks up the ball and shoots it from 25 yards.
“That’s how it is with world class teams, they have world class players and you have to protect them collectively, that’s what we’re going to try to do.”