Unseen footage shows how Joachim Andersen rattled Darwin Nunez all game before red card for headbutt
Unseen footage shows how easy it was for Joachim Andersen to rattle Darwin Nunez and fans think it serves as a guide for every centre-back when coming up against the Uruguayan striker.
Liverpool's club-record signing was sent off on his first Premier League start for headbutting the Crystal Palace centre-back in the second half of the 1-1 draw.
He will now serve a three-game suspension for violent conduct and miss games against Manchester United, Bournemouth and Newcastle - though there have been calls for the ban to be increased.
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Manager Jurgen Klopp said Nunez was provoked and provided the exact reaction Andersen wanted and called him for him to keep his emotions in check.
And a viral video from the game show just how Andersen wound up Nunez with absolute ease. The former Lyon and Fulham defender was extremely physical with Nunez, who spurned a couple of good chances to build on his debut goal last week.
The systemic mannerism employed by Andersen to frustrate Darwin Nunez into getting a red card is a testament of what the EPL is all about. Nunez had better learn from that
— Michael Blaque (@Michaelblaque07) August 16, 2022
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Sosa Mr Macaroni Patrick Viera Mbappe McOluomo pic.twitter.com/zrjLbFjM5N
Highlight Darwin Nunez vs Joachim Andersen.
— Berita Sepakbola Dunia (@gilabola_ina) August 16, 2022
Source: ESPN/PremierLeague pic.twitter.com/yrCOGVJr2y
Here is a handy cut out and keep guide for every defender facing Darwin Nunez this week pic.twitter.com/wFBqcfwMMf
— Man on the Post (@ManOnThePost) August 16, 2022
Copy and paste this to every club in the league pic.twitter.com/YhE28sxIb0
— The Manchester is BLUE show (@manchesterisB) August 16, 2022
Worry for Darwin Nunez if this is enough to provoke a headbutt. Every centre-back will do this to him now.
— Jack Lusby (@LusbyJack) August 16, 2022
Three games out and then it’s the derby. Surely he doesn’t start that? pic.twitter.com/DNaxNNoII8
A masterclass from Andersen. Núñez so easily rattled. pic.twitter.com/Aa8Ec9X9Ga
— Reubs (@ReubenPinder) August 16, 2022
Steep learning curve for the young lad. On the other hand Anderson has played a blinder. Although Liverpool actually looked more dangerous when he went off. pic.twitter.com/euVf5ly9JX
— Stephen Elliott (@SleevesElliott) August 16, 2022
Andersen bullied the 23-year-old in pretty much every duel they had and Nunez grew more and more frustrated.
Eventually, after a chest bump inside the area, he raised his head at the Danish defender.
When Andersen shoved him and angrily confronted in retaliation, that's when Nunez completely lost his head and stupidly headbutted him right in front of the referee.
Paul Tierney promptly showed the red card and Nunez had to talk down the tunnel and back to the dressing room for an early bath.
It was elite "s***housery" from Andersen but Nunez fell right into his trap and let his team down badly.
The clip shows they exchanged verbals during their fiery battle and Nunez went in on late on Andersen in the first half.
Plenty of defenders will be licking their lips having seen how Andersen got inside the head of the £85 million man.
It was just the second red card of Nunez's career, the first coming during his time playing for Almeria in the Spanish second tier.
On the red card, Klopp said: "In the game I could not see anything so I could know what happened. I saw Andersen on the floor and Darwin walking away.
"That was my picture. Then I saw it – yes it is a red card. Wrong reaction in the situation. Andersen wanted that, he got it but he (Núñez) made a mistake. Of course I will talk about it with Darwin but not yet.”
Luis Diaz's stunning individual effort cancelled out Wilfried Zaha's opener in the first half, with Liverpool now four points behind league leaders Manchester City after two games.
Topics: Darwin Nunez, Liverpool, Crystal Palace, Premier League
Josh Lawless