Crystal Palace defender Joachim Andersen claims he was headbutted twice by Darwin Nunes, leaving the Liverpool striker frustrated during the sides’ 1-1 draw on Monday.
Joachim Andersen claims Liverpool player Darwin Nunes headbutted him twice
Joachim Andersen said Viaplay Darwin Nunes had already headbutted him once after Crystal Palace drew 1-1 with Liverpool on Monday when referee Paul Tierney sent the Uruguayan off in the 57th minute of the Premier League clash at Anfield.
Nunes made his debut at home £64 million, a summer transfer from Benfica to the Eagles, possibly rising to £85m. Jurgen Klopp felt compelled to start the 23-year-old against Patrick Vieira’s side with Diogo Jota and Roberto Firmino. not with injuries.
Klopp now faces an even bigger selection dilemma ahead of Liverpool’s trip to Manchester United next Monday. The FA is likely to hand Nunez a three-match ban after headbutting Andersen, but could increase the Palace defender’s ban if his claim is proven.
Anderson revealed after the Merseyside bout that he had warned Nunes not to headbutt him again following the crossbar incident earlier in the bout. But the 11-cap frontman appeared to ignore the Danes’ advice and deepened the red fog early in the second half.
The three-match ban will rule Nunez out of Liverpool’s trip to Old Trafford, as well as home games against Bournemouth and Newcastle United. His return could be the Merseyside derby at Everton on September 3 if Klopp feels his new arrival deserves to start in a major match.
Premier League defenders will take note of Joachim Andersen’s tactics
Meanwhile, Premier League defenders and coaches will note how Andersen’s antics got under Nunez’s skin during Crystal Palace’s draw with Liverpool. The Eagles enforcer believes he has teased the Reds’ arrival ahead of the main event.
“The whole game, I sat very close to him, I made him very nervous and I did well against him,” he said. Evening Standard. “I think that’s why he was angry with me.
“He hit me first on the crossbar and I told him he shouldn’t have done that. I was angry with him. Then he did it again, which is really stupid to me. So, this is a clear red card.”
Jota is unlikely to recover in time to replace Nunez when the FA hand Liverpool forwards. The Portuguese is recovering hamstring injury, and is not due to return to full training until the end of August. But Firmino can play At Manchester United.
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