Liverpool hothead Nunez follows in footsteps of first players to see red in a Premier League season

Liverpool striker Darwin Nunez was the first player to be sent off this Premier League season, following in the footsteps of some huge names.

Darwin Nunez’s accidental turning-around-too-quickly (or headbutt as most of us like to call it) against Crystal Palace led to the Liverpool forward becoming the first man to be sent off this season. The Uruguayan is subsequently banned for one of the biggest matches on the calendar, as his teammates prepare to face Manchester United.

The unwanted honour has to fall on someone every year, so here’s an XI made up from the players who got an unexpected break after picking up the first red card of a season.

Goalkeeper: Thibaut Courtois

Jose Mourinho lifted the Premier League title with Chelsea in 2015 during his second spell at Stamford Bridge but the defence of their crown was truly awful, with the Blues finishing in tenth and Mourinho long gone come the end of the season.

There were bad omens right from the get go. A 2-2 draw with Swansea left them stumbling out of the blocks, not helped by Thibaut Courtois receiving his marching orders after chopping down Bafetimbi Gomis.

If you fancy a goalkeeper challenge, try naming the English keeper who was the first player to be sent off in the 1995/96 season.

Right-back: Kyle Naughton

Mauricio Pochettino’s first match in charge of Tottenham back in 2014 ended with a win over West Ham, despite Kyle Naughton’s best efforts to ruin the day. The Spurs defender was sent off after blocking a Kevin Nolan strike with his hands in the penalty area. Mark Noble missed the subsequent spot-kick and Eric Dier punished the Hammers’ missed opportunity with a winner in extra-time. Both sides were down to ten men by that time after James Collins picked up a