Darwin Nunez and Jurgen Klopp were involved in a heated exchange on the Goodison Park pitch after Liverpool’s 2-0 defeat to Everton, a result that dealt a significant blow to their Premier League title hopes.
Nunez played the full 90 minutes for the Reds, but endured an awful night. He missed a glaring chance in the first half, lost all five of his duels, and had just 19 touches of the ball, by far the lowest of any of Liverpool’s starting line-up.
His frustrations got the better of him after referee Andy Madley blew the final whistle. Goals from Jarrad Branthwaite and Dominic Calvert-Lewin secured the three points for the Toffees, and the Everton players celebrated with their fans at the end of the game, while Liverpool’s stars mostly stood dejected.
But Nunez appeared to be agitated and began to moan about something towards Klopp. He gesticulated in the referee’s direction, with Madley apparently the cause of his frustration. But Klopp was having none of Nunez’s moans and lifted his finger to the Uruguayan’s mouth to tell him to be quiet.
Having got on the wrong side of his manager, Nunez was then spotted sarcastically clapping the referee and officials. Klopp also pointed to Nunez as the duo appeared to have a disagreement.
Liverpool are now three points behind leaders Arsenal in the Premier League table, with Manchester City having two games in hand on them. Nunez has scored 18 goals in all competitions, but has largely failed to live up to his club-record transfer fee.
In the wake of his clash with Klopp and awful performance against Everton, Reds icon Jamie Carragher believes it may be time to move on from the 24-year-old in the summer transfer window.
“The chance that Nunez misses before half-time, that is unforgivable at this level. That is not acceptable at this level, certainly when Liverpool are going for the title. I think there is a question to ask,” Carragher told Sky Sports.
“I think after two years at the club, and I have been guilty of this. You want him to do well because there is so much that you like because he gives everything, he runs and causes trouble and gets the odd goal and gets an assist.
“But after two years when Liverpool this season are going to the title and those big games, you need your man to score away at Old Trafford, away at Goodison, in the European game at Atalanta. There is no time to waste, this is not October or November.
“This is the business end of the title. In terms of Nunez and where the club go forward now, I don’t think it is going to be enough to win you the biggest trophies so I think there is a big decision to be made on him in the summer.”
