Why Darwin Nunez isn't involved for Liverpool vs Nottingham Forest as Saudi transfer links continue
Darwin Nunez scored the winner when Liverpool last travelled to Nottingham Forest last season, but he’ll be missing for the Reds’ latest trip to the City Ground. The Uruguayan has endured a difficult season so far under Arne Slot, scoring four goals from 26 appearances.
Starting 14 times, he started the season behind Diogo Jota in the pecking order while Luis Diaz has emerged as a central attacking option ahead of him in recent weeks.
His long-term Anfield future remains the subject of speculation as a result, with journalist Fabrizio Romano reporting that the striker is attracting ‘genuine’ interest from Saudi Arabia.
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“Interest from Saudi in Darwin Nunez is genuine,” he revealed on his YouTube channel. “There have been conversations to understand the situation of Darwin, the price tag and all these sorts of things.
“For sure there is interest. For sure, there is something in terms of contacts from Saudi, but at the moment there is not something advanced or concrete in terms of negotiations.
“We have to respect Liverpool in this story. Darwin is an important player for them. They spent important money on him, so before saying that Liverpool are selling Darwin Nunez, there are still plenty of things to do.
“At the moment, we are not at that stage. Interest yes, but at the moment still nothing advanced or concrete.”
Liverpool have not received any offers for the striker as things stand. But regardless of the uncertainty surrounding his future, he will not line up for the Reds against Nottingham Forest on Tuesday night.
Nunez is suspended for his side’s clash with the Tricky Trees after being shown his fifth Premier League yellow card of the season against Manchester United. He has since played in domestic cup meetings against Tottenham Hotspur and Accrington Stanley.
But with Liverpool now back in league action in the East Midlands, the striker will sit out the match before being available for selection again when they return to Brentford on Saturday.
The Reds will also be without Joe Gomez as he remains sidelined after injuring his hamstring against West Ham United last month.
Speaking ahead of his side’s clash with Forest, head coach Slot confirmed the defender remains ‘quite far’ away from a return.
“Quite far (away). He is definitely not training with the team yet,” he said. “And Darwin is suspended, so those are the two we will miss (Forest).”