Liverpool head coach Arne Slot has revealed he has held discussions with Dominik Szoboszlai regarding Hungary's devastating World Cup elimination, with the midfielder potentially set to fill in at right-back during the upcoming fixtures.
Hungary skipper Szoboszlai appeared utterly distraught as his nation suffered a crushing 3-2 defeat to the Republic of Ireland in Budapest on Sunday, witnessing their dreams of reaching a first World Cup finals since 1986 crumble before their eyes.
Following his tearful breakdown on the pitch alongside Reds teammate Milos Kerkez, Szoboszlai published a heartfelt social media message offering his apologies to the Hungarian supporters for the loss.
His anguish stood in sharp contrast to Andy Robertson's jubilation, as the Scotland captain celebrated his country's qualification for a World Cup for the first time since 1998.
Reflecting on his players' international experiences, Slot commented: "We did talk about it (Hungary's defeat). We spoke to Milos as well.
"It was a big disappointment being so close to play-off games. And then going out in extra time of extra-time, which was fair as there were two subs in that time.
Dominik Szoboszlai
Dominik Szoboszlai has sent an emotional social media post following Hungary's defeat against the Republic of Ireland
"It's really hard that you concede, especially because in the other side you see Robbo what it means when you do qualify when you haven't for so long.
"He'll be fine. He'll always work as hard as he can. I don't expect any different tomorrow."
Szoboszlai will rejoin a Liverpool squad without both Conor Bradley and Jeremie Frimpong for Saturday's encounter with Nottingham Forest, suggesting he might return to the right-back position he occupied earlier this campaign when both were sidelined.
He isn't the sole option available to Liverpool in that area, with Slot acknowledging that other players may need to be deployed in unfamiliar roles over the forthcoming weeks.
"He's played really well as a full-back, he's played really well as a midfielder," continued Slot. "Curtis Jones played there last season as well.
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"Joe Gomez can play there, but Joe Gomez has played two times 90 minutes throughout 2025, so if we want to keep him available longer its maybe a bit of a risk to play him seven times in 22 days.
"He missed out on a training session yesterday but we are expecting him to train today. So it is challenging, but the good thing is we have enough good players available, and maybe one or two of them have to play in positions they usually don't do, but that's what we have to accept".
Discussing the injuries sustained by Bradley, along with summer acquisition Florian Wirtz, Slot explained: "Both have muscle issues. I don't expect Conor to be part of the upcoming 22 days, maybe the end unless a miracle happens.
"Florian maybe should not be that long. Jeremie is out just as long, won't be available in the next few weeks."
Liverpool.com says: Szoboszlai, in particular, deserves to be at the World Cup. He has been Liverpool's best player this season and yet he will get the summer off when he was hoping to be in the US, Canada and Mexico.