Dominik Szoboszlai raised fears over his fitness after being substituted in Hungary's win over Georgia, with one Liverpool star confirmed to be out for the final game of the international break
BUDAPEST, HUNGARY - OCTOBER 2: Dominik Szoboszlai of Hungary reacts during the UEFA Nations League 2026/27 group phase match between Hungary and Georgia at on October 2, 2026 in Budapest, Hungary. (Photo by Sebastian Frej/Getty Images)
Dominik Szoboszlai was substituted before the end of Hungary's game against Georgia(Image: Getty Images)
Hungary boss Marco Rossi has played down fears over Dominik Szoboszlai’s substitution against Georgia on Friday — although Milos Kerkez could be set for an early return to Liverpool now.
Szoboszlai once again captained his country as Kerkez scored his first international goal to get the better of Reds teammate Giorgi Mamardashvili in a 1-0 victory in the Nations League in Budapest.
Unusually for Szoboszlai though, he was substituted with 10 minutes of the game still remaining. He had already played every minute against Ukraine and Northern Ireland during this international break, raising some fears of an injury for the midfielder.
Although he didn’t show many signs of struggling with a knock as he celebrated the win at full-time, the fears over Szoboszlai’s fitness were great enough that Rossi was asked about his decision to take the 25-year-old off.
“He was cramping and very tired at the end,” Rossi said. “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.”
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It seems then that Liverpool shouldn’t have too much to worry about, although Andoni Iraola might be happier if Szoboszlai is afforded more of a rest in Hungary’s final game of the break against Ukraine on Monday.
One player who definitely won’t feature on the final matchday is Kerkez. Although the left-back proved to be Hungary’s hero against Georgia, he will now have to sit out his country’s final game through suspension.
Having picked up a yellow card against Ukraine the previous week, the defender was booked again late on against Georgia, meaning he will have to serve an automatic one-game ban.
Milos Kerkez of Hungary controls the ball during the UEFA Nations League 2026/27 group phase match against Georgia
Milos Kerkez will miss Hungary's final game of the international break through suspension(Image: Photo by Sebastian Frej/Getty Images)
That does theoretically mean Kerkez could return to Liverpool early, although there is no confirmation at this point as to whether he will be released from Hungary’s training camp.
The Reds have already seen Alexander Isak and Cody Gakpo return to Merseyside early, although in different circumstances, with the pair now doubts for the game against Manchester City on October 11.
Isak’s injury, picked up during Sweden’s first game of the break against Romania, has been described as minor, raising hopes that he will be able to recover in time for the visit of Enzo Maresca’s side.
There are fears over Gakpo’s fitness though, with early reports suggesting he could be out for weeks after picking up an ankle injury during the Netherlands’ game against Serbia.