Liverpool fans were disappointed to see Darwin Nunez benched for their Community Shield clash against Manchester City today (July 30).
Jurgen Klopp's side are looking to win their third silverware of the 2022 calendar year and their first in the cup since 2006.
However, fans are afraid that the Reds' task will be cut out without new signing Nunez, who was named on the bench instead.
The Uruguayan, who was signed on a staggering £85 million transfer from Benfica this summer, has shown great promise in their pre-season.
He famously struck four goals in their 5-0 drubbing of RB Leipzig a few weeks ago, demonstrating his ruthless instincts and prolific finishing ability.
Many had expected Nunez to start in the Community Shield too. However, he only made it to the bench, with Klopp starting Roberto Firmino as the centre-forward instead.
This has upset the fans, as they clearly didn't see this coming and vehemently felt the 23-year-old should've been in the XI over the Brazilian.
One fan also suggested that the Merseysiders should've played Nunez as the striker with Firmino in the (attacking) midfield, given his ability to pull strings from there.
Ahead of the highly anticipated kick-off, here are some of the best Twitter reactions to Nunez getting omitted from Liverpool's starting XI:
Liverpool hoping to get third time lucky
Liverpool play in the Community Shield for the third time in four years. They will be looking to finally secure the trophy after losing out in their previous two attempts under Klopp.
Manchester City got the better of them 5-4 on penalties in 2019 following a 1-1 draw in normal time. The Reds then experienced an identical defeat to Arsenal the following year.
It's the only trophy that's missing from Klopp's cabinet as the German has won every other major title with the club in the last few years.
Liverpool can expect another tough challenge from the Sky Blues, though, as they're armed with Erling Haaland, who's set to make his club debut today.
This is also their first official game since Sadio Mane left for Bayern Munich, but Luis Diaz is repping the left flank.
Kkrexuke
2
clever klopp. if he had left firmino on the bench instead, he would be very demoralized as he has been a starter for so many years.shiw loyalty to his senior players and they would die for him on the pitch. also tell newcomer you have to become better to shake off your senior.
GBZ_15
1
Who care? We won already
juyceo
1
Why don't u apply d job as manager of LFC, f
WilliamNanaTwumasi
7
It is better to be slow and sure than to be fast and fall
Hipbcdmrt
3
Haaland is what they thought Nunez was[Crylaugh][Crylaugh]
Musuarez
2
Nunez caused Manchester city all kinds of trouble in he's little time on the pitch than Hallaand did the whole game
Teobdkouyz
4
All that doesn't matter anymore and the lad shone brighter than his counterpart on the other end that played a whole 90 minutes without kicking the ball up to 10 times even though Nunes spent less 35 minutes on the pitch.
lisbckmrt
3
it paid off klopp knows what he is doing
AbdulZaks008
4
The last time Man City beat Liverpool is since corona virus behind closed doors, And guess what? it's 6 Loss in row Anfield Bonanza 🤣
Daddymayor
4
You should appreciate he’s work rate, he was even better than Haaland today 😒