Darwin Nuez was replaced by another player during Tuesday’s loss for Uruguay against Ecuador due to the striker’s “muscular difficulties,” according to Marcelo Bielsa.
During Uruguay’s World Cup 2026 qualifying match away in Quito, Nuez was removed at halftime, raising concerns about the striker’s fitness.
Manager Bielsa claimed that Nuez was unable to meet the demands of his high-intensity position in attack during his post-game press conference.
According to Bielsa, Darwin had some muscular issues prior to the game, which hindered his ability to move. “He overworked trying to press and attack in the last game, so I thought it was necessary to sub him,” the coach said.
In the 3-1 victory over Chile at home on Saturday, Liverpool’s number nine excelled with two assists. However, it seems as though his excessive exertion in that excursion reduced his playing time in Ecuador.
Uncertainty exists around whether the switch made because of the’muscular issues’ Bielsa mentioned was a result of a real injury or was merely a precaution brought on by fatigue.
The 24-year-old has appeared in each of Liverpool’s four Premier League games so far this season, but he has only made one start, in the 3-0 victory against Aston Villa, and has yet to play for the Reds for a full 90 minutes in 2023–24.
Whether or not Nuez has a minor injury, his participation for Liverpool this weekend is still in doubt.
The turnaround for Nuez and the other players making lengthy travels back from South America following international service is constrained because the Reds are traveling to Wolves for the early kickoff (12:30 BST) on Saturday.
During the month of September, Alisson Becker (Brazil), Alexis Mac Allister (Argentina), and Luis Diaz (Colombia) were also in action for their respective national teams, albeit Liverpool’s goalkeeper missed their second game, making his participation on Saturday less of a concern.
