Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp admits Darwin Nunez will have plenty of time to learn from his red card for headbutting Crystal Palace defender Joachim Andersen in the 1-1 Premier League draw at Anfield.
The Uruguay international, who arrived in the summer, was dismissed early in the second half for flooring the Eagles centre-back after the two had tangled with each other during the match.
“Provocation and definitely wrong reaction, he will learn from that. I came in and wanted to see the situation — in the game, I could not see anything so I could know what happened: I saw Andersen on the floor and Darwin walking away,” Klopp said.
“Then I saw it — yes it is a red card. Wrong reaction in the situation. Andersen wanted that, he got it but he (Nunez) made a mistake.”
Klopp pointed to the provocation the striker had received but accepted there were no excuses for his reaction and the three-match ban he will now serve – missing matches against Manchester United, Bournemouth and Newcastle — will give the 23-year-old the opportunity for reflection.
“Of course, I will speak with him,” he said.
Klopp confirmed on Friday that Roberto Firmino and Naby Keita are expected to be fit to face Manchester United.
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Firmino has trained normally in the build-up to Liverpool`s trip to Old Trafford after sitting out Monday`s draw with Crystal Palace as a precaution.
Keita, meanwhile, returned to the matchday squad for the Anfield encounter but was an unused substitute following a period of illness.
“Yeah, Bobby trained completely normal, is ready. Naby was ill for a week, last game on the bench, is fully in training, and looks really good. All fine,” Klopp offered a fitness update during his pre-match press conference.
The Reds boss also reported no fresh injury concerns within his squad, though remains without Joel Matip, Thiago Alcantara, Ibrahima Konate, Curtis Jones, Diogo Jota, Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain, Calvin Ramsay and Caoimhin Kelleher.
“All the others trained normal as well. No, nobody came back,” Klopp was quoted as saying by Liverpool`s official website.
Asked about Jones and Jota in particular, he reported, “Getting closer. Ask after the game again but no chance for this game.”
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