Liverpool striker Darwin Nunez pulls out of Uruguay squad with hamstring injury after FA Cup defeat to Man Utd

The 24-year-old forward played all 120 minutes of Sunday's thrilling FA Cup quarter-final, as his side fell to an agonising 4-3 defeat courtesy of a late winner from United youngster Amad. Manager Jurgen Klopp hinted that Nunez had tweaked his hamstring during that clash, with The Athletic reporting on Monday that he had since withdrawn from Uruguay's latest squad due to discomfort in that area.

The German told BBC Sport after Sunday's defeat: "Now, the boys go on international duty. We hope they come back healthy. Lucho [Diaz] felt his groin, Darwin [Nunez] hamstring. Cody [Gakpo] twisted his ankle.”

The report states that Nunez's withdrawal is due to a mutual decision between club and country not to overexert the forward, who has struggled with hamstring problems this season. The news of him resting will be well received by Klopp, who again highlighted problems of fatigue during a furious rant towards a reporter on Sunday. The German appears to be paying the price for playing his star players against Sparta Prague on Thursday despite already being 5-1 up from the first leg.

The Liverpool forward will likely return to Merseyside for some treatment before enjoying an extended rest period. That means Marcelo Bielsa will be without his star striker when his Uruguay side take on the Basque Country and Ivory Coast in friendlies on March 23 and 26, respectively.