Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp has confirmed that Darwin Nunez suffered a "painful" shoulder injury during his side's 2-0 win over Newcastle United.
The Reds moved to within six points of the top four in the Premier League table courtesy of their success over the Magpies, who succumbed to early strikes from Nunez and Cody Gakpo at St James' Park.
Newcastle's first-half capitulation was exacerbated by a Nick Pope red card after the goalkeeper handled the ball outside of the area, but Liverpool still had to weather a storm from the 10-man hosts to come through with all three points.
However, the Reds' triumph came at a cost, as Nunez had to be withdrawn just before the hour mark with a shoulder issue, which came about following a challenge from Kieran Trippier.
The Newcastle right-back did not come away unscathed either - feeling the force of Nunez's studs on his head - but the Liverpool man briefly managed to carry on before being taken off for Roberto Firmino.
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Speaking to Sky Sports after the game, Klopp expressed hope that Nunez had avoided a serious problem, but the Uruguayan will need to undergo further assessment ahead of Tuesday's Champions League last-16 first leg against Real Madrid.
"The most negative thing was that Darwin [Nunez] had to go off. We have to see how serious that is – hopefully not too much," Klopp said.
"We will see. He had to go off with a shoulder issue. We need further assessment. At the moment it's painful. Hopefully it is just painful."
Nunez took just 10 minutes to break the deadlock at St James' Park, having latched onto a brilliant pass from Trent Alexander-Arnold - keeping himself onside in the process - before firing home.
Gakpo doubled the Reds' lead after 17 minutes courtesy of another smart assist from Mohamed Salah, who then put Pope under pressure following a long pass from Alisson, and the Newcastle number one was sent for an early bath after handling the ball while sprawled on the ground.
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However, Eddie Howe's side did not give up the ghost and looked particularly dangerous through Allan Saint-Maximin, but Liverpool held firm to give their top-four hopes a major boost.
"Massive result, clean sheet, two wonderful goals and space for improvement. I thought we did really well – the red card probably would have been a wonderful goal as well if Pope hadn't got his hand on the ball," Klopp added.
"Against 10 men we didn't react particularly well. Newcastle had nothing to lose anymore. You could see they're a top team with top character – they threw everything on the pitch. And we gave them too many set pieces.
"The relief of the 2-0, the red card, and all of a sudden one step less and the rhythm was gone. I wish we'd have done that better, but in the end I'm really happy we got it over the line."
Should Nunez fail to recover in time for Tuesday's game, either Diogo Jota or Firmino should come in to spearhead the attack against Real Madrid - who beat Liverpool 1-0 in the 2021-22 Champions League final - at Anfield.
Ben Knapton
