Liverpool face West Ham this afternoon at Anfield, with Darwin Nunez left out of the matchday squad.

The Uruguay international was not named in Arne Slot’s 20-man squad for today’s clash on Merseyside with Liverpool having the chance to take another huge step towards the Premier League title with Arsenal once again slipping up this weekend.

With Nunez rumoured to be part of a potential swap deal for Alexander Isak, the striker’s absence has raised some eyebrows regarding the Liverpool attacker’s future, with the former Benfica man expected to leave the club this summer.

And an intriguing update on Nunez’s fitness has now emerged from today’s game that could hint towards what’s going on with the forward.

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Photo by Chris Brunskill/Fantasista/Getty Images

As spotted by the Daily Mail’s Lewis Steele, Nunez was showing no sign of having an injury after being spotted behind the Liverpool bench, with the journalist writing: “Darwin Nunez has taken his seat just behind the Liverpool subs wearing a puffer jacket.

No visible signs of an injury…”

With two Premier League interested in signing Nunez, all signs are pointing towards the 25-year-old striker leaving Liverpool this summer having once again failed to impress with the Merseyside giants this season.

And Nunez’s absence this afternoon could have something to do with the attacker’s future at Liverpool, with Slot opting to name two goalkeepers on the bench rather than have the Uruguay international as an option amongst the substitutes.

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Indeed, Nunez not being named in Liverpool’s matchday squad could be down to something as simple as the forward being unwell or picking up something last minute, and the decision will have to be cleared up at full-time by Slot.

The Nunez project at Liverpool simply has not worked, with the attacker failing to look like a club-record signing at Anfield despite some moments of pure magic from the Uruguay international across the last three seasons.

And this summer must be the end for Liverpool and Nunez, with the Reds in need of a no.

9 who can lead the line for Slot next season with Mohamed Salah on the right and one of Luis Diaz or Cody Gakpo out on the left.

Big changes are on the horizon for Liverpool this year, and Nunez’s departure will be a key change for the Reds that will help Slot build the squad he wants heading into next season which could compete on all fronts.


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