Darwin Nunez missed out on the matchday squad as Liverpool beat West Ham United in the Premier League, with Arne Slot’s side now a maximum of six points away from being confirmed as champion after Arsenal only drew with Brentford.
Speaking in his post-game press conference, Reds head coach Slot confirmed that Nunez felt ill on Saturday and was therefore missing from the match. The Reds boss says his Uruguayan striker wasn’t named among the substitutes because he didn’t feel well.
Liverpool went in front in the first half through Luis Diaz when he put a low Mohamed Salah cross into the back of the net at the far post before West Ham found a way back into the game. An Andy Robertson own goal made it 1-1 before Virgil van Dijk netted a late winner.
Nunez was in attendance at Anfield with the Reds number nine spotted next to Trent Alexander-Arnold. The vice-captain is edging closer to a move to Real Madrid but is currently sidelined through injury.
“I can tell you I’m very proud today to captain my 100th [league] game for Liverpool,” Van Dijk said on Sky Sports at the final whistle. “It was an emotional day because of the Hillsborough anniversary.
“The main focus was to get three points and get a step closer to all of our dreams – not only us as players and staff but the whole of everyone connected to Liverpool FC. That’s the main thing. Everyone knows how much I love this club and let’s see what next week will look like.”
“It’s a good team, to be fair, they have a good plan,” Salah added. “They managed to play better in the second half and they managed to score.
“I think in that stage the most important thing is to win the game and we did well in the last few minutes. We owe the fans one [a league title]. When we won it [in 2019-20] we won it in a lockdown. So, let’s go for it and win it. That’s the most important thing.”
Liverpool could win the title next weekend if Arsenal loses to Ipswich Town on Saturday. The Reds are then in action against struggling Leicester City on Easter Sunday when Slot’s men will hope to move within one win of the title being confirmed at the very least.
