Liverpool attacker Darwin Nunez could potentially miss Saturday's Premier League clash with Brighton & Hove Albion due to injury, according to a report.
The Uruguay international has been Jurgen Klopp's first-choice striker during the recent absence of Roberto Firmino, who is dealing with a calf problem.
Nunez has come under fire for squandering several chances in front of goal since his £64m from Benfica in the summer, but he has nevertheless amassed 10 goals and three assists in 23 appearances for the Reds in all tournaments.
The 23-year-old has found the back of the net five times in the Premier League and was on target as Liverpool played out a 2-2 draw with Wolverhampton Wanderers in their FA Cup third-round tie at the weekend.
Nunez was expected to lead the line for Liverpool at the Amex Stadium, but he was not pictured in Thursday's training session, sparking fears over his availability for the trip south.
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According to The Times, the ex-Benfica man has now missed more than one practice session with the unspecified problem, which has rendered him doubtful for the weekend.
The report adds that Nunez has been absent for "a number of days" although Liverpool do not believe that he is nursing anything serious, and there is a chance that he will be fit for Saturday.
Should Nunez and Firmino both miss out against Brighton, new signing Cody Gakpo could make his Premier League debut through the middle of the attack after starting on the left against Wolves.
Harvey Elliott, Fabio Carvalho and Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain would be left to battle it out for the final spot in Liverpool's front three, with Mohamed Salah a nailed-on starter on the right flank.
Injuries have bedevilled Klopp's side throughout the season, with Nunez and Firmino's fellow attackers Diogo Jota (calf) and Luis Diaz (knee) still some weeks away from returning from their issues.
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Virgil van Dijk is also facing at least a month out with a thigh problem, while Arthur underwent surgery for an injury in the same area and is unlikely to be back before February either.
On a brighter note, James Milner was seen in training on Thursday as he steps up his recovery from a hamstring issue of his own, and he could be a part of the squad at the Amex Stadium.
Klopp is set to give an update on Nunez's condition in Friday's pre-game press conference, as Liverpool - who sit sixth in the rankings - aim to close the gap on fifth-placed Tottenham Hotspur.
The Reds find themselves five points behind the Lilywhites - who have played a game more - and seven adrift of Manchester United in the final Champions League place, but they could drop down to seventh before the weekend depending on the result of Fulham and Chelsea's West London derby on Thursday.
Having lost their opening Premier League game of 2023 to Brentford, Liverpool will equal an unwanted 30-year-old record if they come away from the Amex with zero points to their name.
Ben Knapton
