Luis Suarez consoled crying Darwin Nunez as Liverpool striker received harsh criticism

Luis Suarez has shared an emotional story about Liverpool striker Darwin Nunez , who was reduced to tears during a half-time critique from Uruguay coach Marcelo Bielsa in Argentina last year.

The incident took place during the World Cup qualifier at La Bombonera in Buenos Aires last November, where Nunez was part of the starting 11. However, after a lackluster first-half performance, Bielsa's harsh words during the break led to an emotional response from the Reds forward.

He was comforted by ex-Liverpool striker Suarez and Nunez bounced back, scoring a late goal that secured a 2-0 victory for Uruguay. Following his goal, he immediately ran to Suarez to celebrate.

Suarez, while speaking on DirecTv show 'De futbol se habla asi', revealed what transpired during the interval and questioned Bielsa's management of certain players in the Uruguay squad.

He saw: "I saw Darwin crying and I told him 'You are here on merit, because of how hard you work, you are a goalscorer and you are the best. You have to continue like this, forget what others say. Wipe your face, go out and do it'.

"That is why when he scored the goal I was the first one he greeted. For me Darwin needs affection, to be supported and to feel involved, not other things. I ran into the coach in the hallway and he told me 'We are not helping him with those things'. I was taken aback, and I told him that I had to support him.

"After the victory, Bielsa greeted me and said 'Do you know what happens if I don't talk to him like that... You saw what he ran in the second half'. And I told him my part was to encourage him."

Real Madrid midfielder and Uruguay international Federico Valverde has subsequently concurred with Suarez regarding Bielsa's management of the team.

"It's true that some things happened," he admitted. "Some problems have arisen and they need to be resolved behind closed doors. The priority is to create a harmonious environment for the benefit of the team."