Photo by Sebastian Frej/Getty Images
Photo by Sebastian Frej/Getty Images
Some of Liverpool’s worst fears came true during the elongated September international break after both Cody Gakpo and Alexander Isak were forced to return home early with injury problems.
Gakpo’s issue looks set to cause the bigger problem, but the Reds’ could really do with having Isak available for next Sunday’s clash against Manchester City.
All Liverpool fans can do is hope and pray that no further issues are sustained, and, as a result, there might have been a few hearts in mouths when Dominik Szoboszlai was taken off as a substitute during Hungary’s 1-0 win over Georgia on Friday.
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Thankfully, manager Marco Rossi has confirmed that it was merely a cramping issue for the midfielder, but after picking up a booking, Milos Kerkez is now suspended for the Hungarian’s final match of the window and may return home in the meantime.
Milos Kerkez suspended for Hungary
Kerkez was the match-winner for Hungary on Friday, heading past Giorgi Mamardashvili to score his first international goal.
He will not get the chance to build on that during Monday’s match against Ukraine, however, after a second-half booking ruled him out. Kerkez was also booked during the 1-0 defeat against Ukraine last week, having become involved in a scuffle, and will now be forced to sit out.
That could be good news for Liverpool, who Kerkez remains a regular starter for, and though it is not yet known whether he will depart from the Hungary camp, he will now get an eight-day break before the game against City.
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Liverpool fans may see some new young players in the first-team after the international break
Liverpool fans may see some new young players in the first-team after the international break
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Marco Rossi explains Szoboszlai sub
Meanwhile, Szoboszlai’s substitution was enough of a topic for Rossi to be asked about it by the Hungarian press after the match.
The 25-year-old normally plays every minute for his national team, and any time he does not feature it is a big talking point.
From a Liverpool point of view, they could do with Szoboszlai being given some rest wherever possible, and Rossi confirmed that he had taken his captain off because he was starting to tire after playing in a deeper role against Georgia.
“He was cramping and very tired at the end,” said the Italian. “He made huge sprints, I don’t know how fast he was, but he was very fast.
“We decided to play him as a number six for the first time. By the way, Dominik is capable of playing excellently in practically every attacking midfield position. In fact, even as a right-back, although we won’t have anything to do with that.”
Rossi has history of making digs at Liverpool where Szoboszlai is concerned, and though his comments on the No. 8 playing at right-back feels like another one, it is just good news that he did not pick up anything more sinister than cramp during his 80-minute display.
Photo by Clive Brunskill/Getty Images
Photo by Clive Brunskill/Getty Images
Photo by Liverpool FC/Liverpool FC via Getty Images
Photo by Liverpool FC/Liverpool FC via Getty Images
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