Why Darwin Nunez ISN'T playing for Liverpool v Nottingham Forest as Saudi interest intensifies

Liverpool forward Darwin Nunez will NOT play for the Reds tonight as they face Nottingham Forest at the City Ground.

The table-toppers face the side in third place in the Premier League as Forest seek to leapfrog Arsenal into second.

EXCLUSIVE: Liverpool reject extraordinary first offer for Darwin Nunez

Arne Slot's side are SIX points clear and boast a six-point advantage over the teams in second and third and are seeking to stretch their lead over the chasing pack.

The Reds haven't been in Premier League action since January 5 when they drew 2-2 against Manchester United.

Since then they have played cup matches in the EFL Cup against Tottenham and in the FA Cup against Accrington Stanley.

There was a wobble for the Merseysiders in the Spurs game - losing 1-0 in the Carabao Cup semi-final first leg but Slot's men bounced back with a comprehensive 4-0 defeat of Stanley at Anfield.

Darwin Nunez suspended vs Nottingham Forest

Liverpool are close to a clean bill of health with only Joe Gomez marked down as an injury absence having struggled through the winter without several key performers.

But now suspensions have their say with Darwin Nunez dropping out of contention due to an accumulation of bookings.

Darwin was yellow-carded in the 19th Liverpool game of the Premier League season - his fifth booking overall this campaign.

That means he will serve a one-match ban as the Reds face Forest tonight.

The new suspension threshold is now increased to the 32nd matchday.

Liverpool reject first Darwin offer

It's been a difficult season for the Uruguay international, who has only managed two goals in 15 Premier League appearances.

The 25-year-old's lack of compatibility with Slot's tactical system has led to talk that he could be moving away from Anfield as soon as this January transfer window.

Liverpool - led in talks by FSG CEO Michael Edwards - rejected a £70 million offer from Al-Hilal for Darwin earlier this week as revealed by Anfield Watch.

The club value Darwin at £85m but it's believed they will end up dealing for around £75m.

Along with Al-Hilal, Al-Nassr are also in the market for a big-money signing and could come into the reckoning for Darwin.

Al-Hilal are believed to be ready to offer Nunez a £400k per week package - a huge improvement on his reported £140k salary at Liverpool.

It remains to be seen when Darwin will play again for Arne Slot with negotiations expected to stretch on.

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