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Liverpool Echo
Liverpool Echo
Sport
Richard Garnett

Liverpool dealt Darwin Nunez blow as Lucas Leiva sends emotional retirement message

There may be no Liverpool match this weekend, but it's time for your Liverpool morning digest on Saturday, March 18.

Liverpool handed Darwin Nunez injury blow as Uruguay decision confirmed

Darwin Nunez has been removed from Uruguay's squad for upcoming friendlies due to injury, it has been confirmed.

The Liverpool forward participated in the Reds' Champions League defeat by Real Madrid earlier this week, though was replaced during the second half of the match to the frustration of many supporters.

Asked to clarify after the match whether this change was injury-related, Jurgen Klopp responded: “Darwin looked like he was not at the absolute top level as well and we needed to defend that side as well. We could change and we wanted to mix things up a bit.”

READ MORE: Alisson has been openly telling Liverpool what their problem is all season

READ MORE: John Henry has hinted at why Jude Bellingham could be central to Liverpool's expensive summer rebuild

The Uruguay Football Federation has now claimed Nunez is unavailable for their upcoming friendlies against Japan and South Korea having seemingly suffered a setback.

Read the full story HERE.

Lucas Leiva sends emotional message to Liverpool as former midfielder announces retirement

Former Liverpool midfielder Lucas Leiva has announced his retirement from football at the age of 36.

The Brazilian had returned to his first professional club Gremio in June 2022, though has been forced to call time on his career due to a heart problem discovered during pre-season tests.

Lucas signed for Liverpool during the summer of 2007 and developed into a fan favourite during his time on Merseyside, respected by many for his tireless worth ethic and professionalism at all times. After making a total of 346 appearances for the Reds, during a period spanning a decade, he departed the club at the end of the 2016/17 season to sign for Serie A side Lazio.

Voted Player of the Season in his first two campaigns in Italy, Lucas didn’t take long to make his presence felt and helped the club to a Coppa Italia title in 2019. A return to his native country followed last June, which saw him sign for Gremio and feature 17 times in the second division as he helped the club back to the top flight of Brazilian football.

Pulled from first-team training back in December after an alteration in cardiac rhythm was detected by the medical department, Lucas announced on Friday that he would not be returning to the pitch ahead of the new league season which is due to begin next month.

Read the full story HERE.

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