Liverpool dealt blow as Jurgen Klopp confirms injury to 23-year-old star ahead of Aston Villa encounter
Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp has revealed that Darwin Nunez is set to miss his team's Premier League clash against Aston Villa at Anfield on Saturday (May 20).
Nunez, 23, has established himself as a crucial squad member since arriving from Benfica in a deal worth up to £85 million last summer. He has registered 15 goals and four assists in 42 overall matches so far this campaign.
Speaking at a pre-match press conference, Klopp confirmed that Nunez will be out of action against Villa. He said:
"Darwin will not be available as he has inflammation of the tendon in his toe... very painful. He hasn't trained. Long term injured players are out, but all the rest should be available. The long-term injuries are still out."
While Roberto Firmino is set to return from a muscle injury, four Reds stars are set to miss their side's final home contest of the season. Thiago Alcantara, Naby Keita, Stefan Bajcetic and Calvin Ramsay will be out of action.
When asked to comment on his team's miniscule top-four hopes, Klopp replied:
"I never had hope for that. I know that we have to win all our games and then maybe, there's a small chance. I watched the game last night but wasn't disappointed when Newcastle scored [in a 4-1 win over Brighton]. The only time I was like that was when Vincent Kompany scored! Whatever Newcastle get, they deserve."
Liverpool are currently in fifth spot with 65 points from 36 Premier League matches and are just one point behind fourth-placed Manchester United. Their top-four fate is not in their hands even if they win their next two games.
Chris Sutton offers prediction for upcoming Liverpool-Aston Villa clash
Former Chelsea forward Chris Sutton has predicted a 3-1 win for Liverpool against Aston Villa. He wrote on BBC:
"This feels like the kind of game where Aston Villa boss Unai Emery could go and set his team up to frustrate Liverpool and carry a threat on the counter. I am certainly not discounting Villa here, but the Reds have such great momentum that I can't see them stumbling. They will attack Villa and they may even overwhelm them."
The Reds are overwhelming favorites against Unai Emery's outfit in terms of head-to-head record. They have won nine of their last 10 Premier League matches, with the exception being a 7-2 loss at Villa Park in October 2020.
Aston Villa are currently in eighth place in the Premier League standings with 57 points from 36 matches.