Darwin Nunez breaks silence after dismal red card on Liverpool home debut

Darwin Nunez has spoken for the first time since he was sent off on his Anfield Premier League debut against Crystal Palace. 

Nunez was Liverpool’s marquee signing of the summer transfer window after arriving from Benfica in a deal worth an initial £64 million. 

The Uruguayan made a decent impact when he came off the bench against Fulham last week to help his side earn a 2-2 draw. 

However, in his first start for Liverpool at Anfield, things quickly went wrong. He missed two huge chances in the first half which saw Palace stun Anfield into utter silence after Wilfried Zaha’s goal in the 32nd minute. 

What a 𝐑𝐔𝐓𝐇𝐋𝐄𝐒𝐒 counter-attack! Wilfried Zaha puts Crystal Palace ahead ⚡💥 pic.twitter.com/H9BFDf2Hnc

— Sky Sports Premier League (@SkySportsPL) August 15, 2022

With the Reds chasing an equaliser in the second half, a moment of madness marred Nunez’s already underwhelming home debut. 

In the 57th minute, referee Paul Tierney showed Nunez a red card after he head-butted Palace centre back Joachim Andersen. 

Andersen has been dominating Nunez throughout the match and the Liverpool front man let his emotions get the better of him as he was dragged off the pitch by vice captain James Milner. 

A moment of madness from Darwin Núñez and he's shown a straight red card! 🤯 pic.twitter.com/YAErzuuUKq

— Sky Sports Premier League (@SkySportsPL) August 15, 2022

Luckily for Nunez, his team mate Luis Diaz produced a moment of magic to salvage a point for Liverpool. In truth, a dejected Anfield crowd knew it could have been three points if they were not down to ten men. 

Nunez took to social media to apologise for his action. 

He wrote on Twitter: “Apologies to Liverpool all, I’ll be back.” 

Apologies to Liverpool all ✋🏼

I’ll be back 🫡 pic.twitter.com/iszTdSAx2i

— Darwin Núñez (@Darwinn99) August 16, 2022

The 23-year-old also added: “I am aware of the ugly attitude I had. I'm here to learn from my mistakes and it won't happen again.” 

Soy consciente de la fea actitud que tuve. Estoy para aprender de mis errores y no volverá a pasar más. 🫡🙏

— Darwin Núñez (@Darwinn99) August 16, 2022

Nunez is the first player to be sent off for violent conduct in the Jurgen Klopp era. Virgil van Dijk spoke about the incident, saying that Nunez ‘has to control himself’. 

He said: “He has to control himself, definitely. 

“He has to manage himself [and] he has to be knowing that these things can happen, especially in the Premier League.

“Obviously he was disappointed and also probably with himself. But it’s a learning curve and we will always back him. He knows it should not happen again and hopefully it will be that way.”

Nunez will now serve a three game suspension, ruling him out of matches against Manchester United, Bournemouth and Newcastle. 

Klopp has said that he will use the suspension to give Nunez another pre season. 

🗣️"That's not how he should behave"

Jürgen Klopp reacts to Liverpool's draw with Crystal Palace and Darwin Núñez's red card 🟥 pic.twitter.com/j4zH1Uvveq

— Sky Sports Premier League (@SkySportsPL) August 15, 2022

He said: “Now he has another ‘pre-season'. I don’t know exactly how long he will be suspended. So we will use it for physical work. Not as punishment, just to make him even stronger and that is what we will try.” 

Liverpool have had a bitterly disappointing start to their 22/23 as they sit 12th in the league table after picking up just two points from six. 

Next up, a huge clash against arch rivals United as both sides search for their first win of the season.