Darwin Nunez’s next game will be in Peru’s Estadio Nacional de Lima rather than Kirkby AXA Training Centre after his international suspension was temporarily reduced pending appeal.

Nunez learned on Friday afternoon of a pause in the five-game ban for his role in the disorder that took place at the end of Uruguay’s Copa America semi-final against Colombia in July.

Following the final whistle, the striker appeared to confront supporters seated in the Colombia section of the Bank of America Stadium in North Carolina after a brawl broke out near to where the Uruguay team’s families were seated.

Uruguay’s Nunez and team-mate Ronald Araújo were among the players at the forefront of the melee.

Liverpool were planning a behind-closed-doors friendly to keep the Uruguay striker sharp during the international break, but instead Nunez has been permitted to join his national squad.

He is expected to feature for them in World Cup 2026 qualifying matches against Peru this weekend and Ecuador next week.

Arne Slot will be pleased his forward is set to get some on-field action. Speaking before Nunez’s surprise call-up, Slot said: “I would have preferred him to go because I think it is always good for a player to go to his national team, they like to see their team-mates again.

“He would have probably played two games, at least one but I think both because he is a starter over there and like you guys [in the media] are telling me constantly, he hasn’t started that much over here.”

The 25-year-old’s suspension is under consideration by the Court of Arbitration for Sport (Cas) and it has been determined he is available while that is ongoing.

“I don’t think it is a good thing for a player being suspended,” said Slot.

“It’s a good thing for a player to go and see his team-mates, get energy over there, get some playing time.”

Nunez missed his country’s previous World Cup qualifiers against Paraguay and Venezuela, both ending in goalless draws.

His season so far has followed a familiar erratic pattern to his first two at Anfield. He scored a brilliant goal against Bournemouth in late September, but his overall performances have not matched the quality, consistency and general team play of Diogo Jota, who has established himself as the preferred option and Slot’s No 9.

Slot arrived at Liverpool this summer hoping to smooth the rough edges from Nunez’s game but the South American remains a work in progress.

The Dutch manager will hope he can use the international break to build some confidence and form with a critical period ahead over the next three months.