When Liverpool fans scanned today’s team sheet, there was one noticeable omission.

Darwin Nunez.

No name in the starting lineup.



No name on the bench.

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It’s always a surprise when a key player is completely missing on matchday – especially in a big Premier League game.

After a tough 3–2 loss away at Fulham, the Reds returned home needing a response.

Anfield expects.

Others raised eyebrows.

Liverpool are still firmly in the title race after winning 2-1 at Anfield today, sitting on 76 points from 32 matches.

So why was Nunez missing from the squad?

Slot named a strong side to face West Ham United.

The starting eleven includes Alisson Becker, Conor Bradley, Ibrahima Konate, Virgil van Dijk, and Kostas Tsimikas in defence.

Ryan Gravenberch and Alexis Mac Allister line up in midfield, with Mohamed Salah, Diogo Jota, Luis Díaz, and Curtis Jones completing the attack.

But while Van Dijk’s late header took the headlines, many fans were also asking one key question — where was Darwin Nunez?

The striker was a noticeable absentee from both the starting lineup and the bench.

And when you look at the list of substitutes — Vitezslav Jaros, Caoimhin Kelleher, Wataru Endo, Dominik Szoboszlai, Federico Chiesa, Cody Gakpo, Harvey Elliott, Andy Robertson, and Jarell Quansah — Nunez’s name is nowhere to be found.

The reason?

Illness.

At such a crucial stage of the season, his absence didn’t go unnoticed.

With Mohamed Salah signing a new deal until 2027 and Liverpool edging closer to the Premier League title, every player counts.

Leaving out Nunez would not have been a casual decision.

The hope now is that he recovers quickly and is back in the squad when the Reds push for the finish line.

Read more: CONFIRMED: Liverpool XI vs West Ham United

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