Ex-Liverpool ace Dietmar Hamann has launched a peculiar defence of Darwin Nunez following his shocking headbutt on Crystal Palace centre-back Joachim Andersen.
Reds striker Nunez stunned Anfield for all the wrong reasons on Monday evening, lashing out at Eagles defender Andersen after a meaty tussle early in the second half of his home debut, with Liverpool 1-0 down at the time of the incident. Referee Paul Tierney had no choice but to send the Reds' £64million summer signing off with a straight red card for violent conduct, leaving Liverpool winger Luis Diaz to rescue a point from the dramatic game thanks to his spectacular solo goal.
Reds boss Jurgen Klopp was forced to condemn Nunez's outburst post-match, but another German with close ties to Merseyside, Hamann, has leapt to the 23-year-old's defence. "I think he just walked into him," the former Liverpool midfielder, who spent seven years at the club and won nine trophies, told talkSPORT on Tuesday morning.
"It wasn't even a headbutt, he just walked into the defender, Andersen. If it was a proper headbutt I can understand it, to extend the ban, but he just walked into him, three games is enough. Yes you shouldn't do it, we all agree he shouldn't do it."
Hermann's outlandish claim was even mocked by optical retail chain Specsavers. Replying to talkSPORT's video, their official Twitter account wrote: "Are you free for an appointment today?"
Unfortunately for Nunez, there aren't many others like Hamann who're willing to defend his malicious actions. Reacting to the flashpoint after his side salvaged a draw, meaning that the Reds are still winless in the new Premier League season, Klopp reluctantly criticised the Uruguayan.
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"Darwin knows [that he let his teammates down]. I will talk to him. It was not a reaction we want to see," the Liverpool manager revealed to Sky Sports. "He know he will be challenged in this way, centre-halves will do that, but it is not a reaction we want. But we will use the time productively. We will use the suspension for physical work to make him strong - not a punishment but to make him stronger."
Later, in his post-match press conference, Klopp added: "A little provocation here and there [from Andersen] – and definitely the wrong reaction. A clear red card, I cannot deny that. Yeah, he will learn from that. Unfortunately, he has now a few games' time to do so. That’s not cool for us in our specific situation, even less, but that's how it is."
Reds stalwart James Milner took the sliver lining from the red card, praising his teammates' reaction to going a man down and noting how his team were galvanised by the incident. "[Darwin] is going to be disappointed in that. We have to get around him and rally. He will learn from it," Milner explained.
"The team reacted well and the ground did and got behind us. We could have nicked it but it wasn't to be. Good teams react to disappointments and stick together. You see the readiness for the season and the fight. We have had a tough week and preparations have not been ideal. Nobody can deny we have fighting spirit."
