Almost everybody has been hugely impressed by the way Darwin Nunez has settled at Anfield after his much anticipated move from Benfica this summer.  

The recruitment of Nunez cost Liverpool £85 million ($102 million) plus add-ons, but the eye-watering transfer fee does not seem to weigh heavy on the Uruguayan striker's shoulders. 

The 23-year-old had a brilliant cameo in the Community Shield and scored his first competitive goal for Liverpool in a 3-1 win over Manchester City. He was back on the score-sheet again in his first Premier League appearance last weekend, helping his new team come from behind to secure a 2-2 draw with Fulham.

After coming off the bench to make a vital impact in two successive outings, fans eager to see him start in Liverpool's league game against Crystal Palace on Monday night. Manager Jurgen Klopp duly obliged and Nunez finally made his home debut for the Reds. 

However, the Uruguay international's first taste of Premier League action at Anfield did not go according to plan. 

Despite dominating the opening half hour, Liverpool struggled to make a breakthrough and even fell behind when Palace talisman Wilfried Zaha shocked the home crowd with a crisp finish following a smooth counter attack.

Matters got worse before the hour mark as Nunez, who missed a couple of glorious chances in front of The Kop, reacted to a slight shove from Joachim Andersen with a bizarre headbutt that knocked down the Palace defender.  

Referee Paul Tierney could do nothing but show Nunez a red card and his inexcusable moment of foolhardiness meant Liverpool had to save the game with 10 men.  

Nunez has only been sent off once before in his professional career, but now, he has the unwanted distinction of being the first ever Liverpool player to be sent off for violent conduct during Klopp's tenure. 

"Of course it was a red, he was provoked but that is not how he should behave," observed Klopp when asked about the incident after the game. "It was not a reaction we want to see. He knows he will be challenged in this way, center-halves will do that, but it is not a reaction we want." 

Fortunately, Luis Diaz eventually rescued a point for Liverpool with a marvelous solo goal just minutes after Nunez's loss of control on the pitch. But the damage was largely done. The result left Liverpool winless in 12th place with two points from their first two matches, four behind leaders Manchester City. 

Klopp said he was still "proud" of Liverpool's response. "It is not common with 10 against 11 that you put a team under as much pressure as we did," he said. "I can imagine the kind of articles and headlines and commentaries it leads to but that is life."

Liverpool's troubles are far from over. As Nunez is set to serve a three-match ban after the red card, he will miss Liverpool's next match against Manchester United at Old Trafford as well as their clashes with newly-promoted Bournemouth and Newcastle. 

Following injuries to a string of attacking players, including Diogo Jota, Roberto Firmino and Thiago, the absence of Nunez was the last thing Klopp wanted. To worsen an already difficult situation, captain Jordan Henderson also suffered an injury during the match, while central defender Joel Matip will remain out with a muscle injury. 

With so many Liverpool players on the sidelines, will the much-maligned United, who conceded four comical goals in the opening 35 minutes in a 4-0 humiliating drubbing at Brentford on Saturday, beat the odds to deal their bitter rivals another mighty blow? 

One thing is for sure, the showdown between English football's two wounded animals will be an unmissable spectacle.