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With Marcelo Bielsa leaving Luis Suarez and Edinson Cavani out of Uruguay’s squad, it’s time for the country’s young stars to step up and become the references in the team.

That’s the case of Darwin Nunez, who is now their main centre-forward and is expected to carry the responsibility of being their goalscorer in the upcoming matches.

The Reds’ star was this week interviewed by Teledoce, and ESPN Uruguay brings some of his quotes about this new challenge.

Darwin explained that he asked former Liverpool striker Luis Suarez for the number nine shirt. He’s using it in the upcoming games, and in case the national team legend gets back to the squad, then he’ll have it back.

“If I score goals, that adds up, but I don’t have any weight or backpack. I spoke with Luis Suarez and told him that I wanted to play with the 9 shirt and that I wanted to try to do my best, as he did,” said Darwin Nunez.

“I admire him a lot and for me he was a very important piece in the National Team and during the World Cup, because he helped me a lot.”

“He wanted me to represent 9 well. I asked him for it and he said yes; And if he has to come back, the number 9 is his.”

The Liverpool player also explained this responsibility of being the national team’s main goalscorer, claiming he’s already spoken to Marcelo Bielsa about some details he needs to improve.

“I am very happy to be back with the national ream, I already missed a lot. We were talking with Marcelo, he showed me some of my plays from previous games, he corrected me on some things. Now it’s time to go to the complex and we’ll meet there to get to know each other more.”

Uruguay are playing World Cup Qualifiers matches against Chile and Ecuador in the coming weeks.

For Liverpool, Darwin is set to be back on the pitch on the 16th of September, when the Reds play Wolverhampton Wanderers.