Liverpool lose Thiago with unusual problem as Jurgen Klopp explains Darwin Nunez injury blow

Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp has explained that Thiago was out for his side's Premier League clash with Nottingham Forest at the City Ground because he had an ear infection. The German is also without Darwin Nunez, who was substituted with a hamstring problem before the hour mark on Wednesday night when his side beat West Ham 1-0 at Anfield.

"No, I wish I could [take precautions]," Klopp told BT Sport when asked if the duo's absence was a precautionary measure ahead of the game. "For Darwin, it's a game too soon. [He] still feels the intensity of the game on a muscular level, so there was no chance - maybe tomorrow or Monday but not today. Thiago had a bad ear infection during the night, so the decision was made at 5:15 a.m. Sometimes it's like that, that's why."

Nunez scored the only goal of the game against the Hammers as he rose to head home Kostas Tsimikas' inviting cross midway through the first half. But he left the field 12 minutes after the break, with Harvey Elliott replacing him.

And after the game, Klopp revealed why he was forced to take Nunez off. "He felt the hamstrings a bit at half time so you have to make changes early which is very good," said the German.

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"We can do it. With Darwin, at half-time everyone was like 'no it's fine, it's fine'. But when someone is five minutes on the bed then I worry too, c was a precaution." And when asked about the Uruguay international's fitness on Friday, Klopp said: "We'll see."

Thiago and Nunez would both have been in line to start the game in the East Midlands, with both named in the starting squad against the Hammers. Klopp has instead brought Elliott and Curtis Jones into the squad to face Forest as Liverpool go in search of just their fifth Premier League win of the season.

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Liverpool started the season in miserable form as they were held to a draw by Fulham and Crystal Palace before being beaten by Manchester United. And, although they beat Bournemouth 9-0 and saw off Newcastle 2-1, they were then held by Everton and Brighton before losing to Arsenal.

But the Reds moved up to seventh in the Premier League table after beating Manchester City 1-0 before facing West Ham. Nottingham Forest, meanwhile, are bottom of the table having won just one of their 11 games this campaign.

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