Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp says Darwin Nunez should use his upcoming suspension for headbutting Crystal Palace defender Joachim Andersen to learn from his "mistake".
The Uruguay international, who arrived in the summer for a potential club-record £85 million fee, was dismissed early in the second half of Monday's 1-1 Premier League draw for flooring the Eagles centre-back following a running battled between the pair at Anfield.
Klopp accused Andersen of deliberately provoking Nunez, but that there were no excuses for his reaction and said the three-match ban he will now serve will give the striker time to reflect on his actions.
Nunez, 23, will now miss Liverpool's games against Manchester United, Bournemouth and Newcastle United.
“Of course, I will speak with him,” said Klopp. “Provocation and definitely wrong reaction, he will learn off that. Unfortunately he has now three games to do that. It is not cool for us but it is how it is.
“I came in and wanted to see the situation – in the game I could not see anything so I could know what happened: I saw Andersen on the floor and Darwin walking away.
“Then I saw it – yes it is a red card. Wrong reaction in the situation. Andersen wanted that, he got it but he [Nunez] made a mistake.”
Liverpool actually improved when they went down to 10 men and a brilliant goal from Luis Diaz, waltzing past five players before firing home from 25 yards to cancel out Wilfried Zaha’s first-half breakaway goal, salvaged a point.
But they could have done without Nunez’s enforced absence for the next couple of weeks as the injury crisis continues to grow with Joel Matip and Roberto Firmino missing against Palace and Joe Gomez on the bench as he was not fit to play a full match.
Liverpool v Palace ratings
CRYSTAL PALACE RATINGS: Alisson Becker – 6. The Brazilian was left isolated for Palace’s goal but narrowed the angle enough to ensure Zaha’s strike had to be precise. Otherwise he had little to do. Getty Images
Trent Alexander-Arnold – 7. The 23-year-old deserved more of a reward for his crossing. His passing sometimes lacked accuracy but his instinct was always progressive. PA
Nathaniel Phillips – 4. The 25-year-old did not see any Premier League action last season because he was on loan. He did not look ready for a return to the top flight and struggled with Zaha’s pace before making way for Gomez in the 63rd minute. EPA
Virgil van Dijk – 6. The Dutchman was solid, particularly when his team were a man short. His attempts to generate some forward momentum did not really work. Reuters
Andrew Robertson – 5. The Scot does not have the same chemistry with Diaz that he had with Sadio Mane. As a consequence, his attacking raids were not as dangerous and he was replaced by Tsimikas in the 63rd minute. AP Photo
Fabinho – 4. The Brazilian has made a poor start to the season. He had the chance to break up the move for Palace’s goal and was often behind the pace of the game. Reuters
James Milner – 6. The 36-year-old was robust without ever being dynamic. He tried hard to be creative but could not connect with the forwards in a dangerous manner. Henderson came on for him in the 63rd minute. Getty Images
Harvey Elliott – 7. A fine effort from the 19-year-old, whose energy and intelligence were prominent. In the second half he tired and came off for Carvalho with 11 minutes left. Getty Images
Mohamed Salah – 6. The Egyptian is as eager as ever but things are not quite clicking yet. He threatened before the break but was compromised by Nunez’s dismissal. Getty Images
Darwin Nunez – 2. Anfield expected a lot from the Uruguayan but he let the side down with the most stupid of headbutts to earn a red card. It was a shame because his physical presence – if controlled – is a huge plus for the team and he hit the post just before the break. Getty Images
Luis Diaz – 7. The Colombian was poor until Nunez’s departure and then sprang to life. His goal was a thing of beauty that left half the Palace side trailing in his wake. Getty Images
SUBS: Joe Gomez – 6. The 25-year-old came on for Phillips in the 63rd minute. The defence was more secure for his injection of pace. AFP
Jordan Henderson – 7. The 32-year-old replaced Milner in the 63rd minute and added energy to the midfield. He urged the side forward in pursuit of victory. Getty Images
Kostas Tsimikas – 4. The Greek joined the action in the 63rd minute at Robertson’s expense. His crossing was more wayward than the man he replaced. PA
Fabio Carvalho – 6. The 19-year-old came off the bench with 11 minutes to go in place of Elliott. He looked bright and went close with a last-minute volley. PA
CRYSTAL PALACE RATINGS: Vicente Guaita – 6. The Spaniard set out early to slow the rhythm of the game and ended up in the referee’s book for timewasting. He looked secure but was unable to do anything about the equaliser. AFP
Nathaniel Clyne – 6. The former Liverpool man seemed to have Diaz under control. Then the Colombian scored a splendid goal. The whole defence was to blame but the 31-year-old might have stopped the run at source. AFP
Joel Ward – 6. The 32-year-old worked well in the three centre-back system. He made a number of blocks and interceptions but was stranded for the equaliser. AFP
Joachim Andersen – 7. The Dane was not daunted by the physical challenge of Nunez. He fell like a stone during his altercation with the Liverpool striker but there was only one winner in that battle and it wasn’t the Uruguayan. Getty Images
Marc Guehi – 7. The 22-year-old did a fine job against Salah. His positional sense and anticipation were impressive. AP Photo
Tyrick Mitchell – 7. The 22-year-old was part of the platoon charged with stopping Salah. He was quick in the tackle and committed to the block. Richards replaced him with 11 minutes to go. AFP
Jordan Ayew – 6. The Ghanaian did plenty of running without much joy although his teammates saw the benefit. He made way for Edouard in the 63rd minute. Getty Images
Cheick Doucoure – 6. The Malian spent most of the time stopping Liverpool attacks but he supplied Zaha with the ball when the striker hit the post. Hughes came on for him with 11 minutes to go. Getty Images
Jeffrey Schlupp – 6. The 29-year-old combined caution and industry. He made life awkward for Liverpool’s midfield before exiting the game with two minutes to go for Olise. AP Photo
Eberechi Eze – 7. The 24-year-old provided the pass for Zaha to score. His touch and direct play were impressive. He was replaced by Milivojevic with 11 minutes to go. Getty Images
Wilfried Zaha – 8. The Ivorian scored a superb goal and made life a misery for Phillips. He hit the post and was disappointed to leave Anfield with a draw. AFP
SUBS: Odsonne Edouard – 6. The 24-year-old joined the action in the 63rd minute at Ayew’s expense. His energy did much to stifle Liverpool’s late efforts. AFP
Will Hughes – 6. The 27-year-old replaced Doucoure with 11 minutes to go. The midfielder provided extra security. AFP
Luka Milivojevic – 6. The Serb relieved Eze with 11 minutes left as Palace shut down for the draw. He was effective in stopping attacks. Reuters
Chris Richards – 6. The American came on for Mitchell in the 79th minute for his first taste of Premier League action. He helped shore up the defence. Getty Images
Michael Olise – 5. The 20-year-old was given a brief cameo when Schlupp came off with two minutes remaining. He can be satisfied with his brief appearance. Getty Images
With midfielders Thiago Alcantara, Curtis Jones and Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain, defenders Ibrahima Konate and Calvin Ramsay and forward Diogo Jota and back-up goalkeeper Caoimhin Kelleher all unavailable, the last thing Klopp needed was an unnecessary suspension to his frontline cenrte-forward.
“The week was crazy; I have experienced a lot of weeks but that was like we had a witch in the building,” added Klopp.
“Honestly, like every day somebody else pulled out [of training] for the craziest reasons.”
Palace boss Patrick Vieira was satisfied with a draw, having had just 27 per cent possession and three shots on target.
“We could have won it. We could have lost it as well,” he said.
“Of course I’m pleased with the point but even more with the quality that we showed today. We showed sides of the game that we need to show more often.”