Why Darwin Nunez Missed Liverpool’s Win Over West Ham | OneFootball

Why Darwin Nunez Missed Liverpool’s Clash With West Ham

Surprise Omission at Anfield

When Liverpool fans filtered into Anfield and cast their eyes over the team sheet for the crunch Premier League clash with West Ham United, one name was glaringly absent. Darwin Nunez — no place in the starting XI, no place among the substitutes. Silence surrounding his absence only fuelled the speculation.

It was a day that demanded focus and fire. Liverpool needed to respond after a bruising 3–2 defeat away to Fulham. Momentum in the title race hung in the balance. With just six games remaining and Manchester City breathing down their necks, Arne Slot had decisions to make.

The Reds ultimately claimed a vital 2-1 win to remain firmly in the title chase, sitting on 76 points from 32 matches. But despite the late drama of Virgil van Dijk’s decisive header and a resolute second-half showing, the post-match chatter centred as much around who wasn’t on the pitch as who was.

Slot Reveals Reason for Absence

There had been no hint of an injury in the lead-up. Nunez had looked sharp in training earlier in the week, and with his direct style and relentless pressing, he seemed tailor-made for a fixture like this. So where was he?

When Arne Slot was asked post-match about the omission, he provided a brief but telling explanation: “He didn’t feel well.” The illness kept the 24-year-old completely out of contention — not even well enough for a spot on the bench.

Tactical Reshuffle In Attack

In Nunez’s absence, Slot sent out an attack comprising Mohamed Salah, Diogo Jota, Luis Díaz and Curtis Jones. Behind them, Ryan Gravenberch and Alexis Mac Allister added energy and guile in midfield, while the defence featured Alisson Becker, Conor Bradley, Ibrahima Konate, Virgil van Dijk and Kostas Tsimikas.

Despite the reshuffle, Liverpool found the winning formula — but only just. The substitutes’ bench was telling: Vitezslav Jaros, Caoimhin Kelleher, Wataru Endo, Dominik Szoboszlai, Federico Chiesa, Cody Gakpo, Harvey Elliott, Andy Robertson and Jarell Quansah. Plenty of options, but no Nunez.

His presence — even as an impact sub — could’ve been useful. His physicality, his runs into the channels, and his uncanny ability to unsettle defenders are weapons Slot will hope to have back soon.