Dominik Szoboszlai has been ruled out of Liverpool's Premier League clash with Manchester City due to injury, dealing Andoni Iraola a fresh selection headache
Dominik Szoboszlai of Liverpool walks out prior a the Premier League match
Dominik Szoboszlai misses Liverpool's Premier League clash with Man City(Image: Photo by Gaspafotos/MB Media/Getty Images)
Dominik Szoboszlai misses Liverpool 's Premier League clash with Manchester City due to a hamstring problem, it has been confirmed.
The Reds are back in league action on Sunday afternoon after the extended international break, with a highly anticipated clash against rival City. Of course, there is an added edge to the fixture after news broke during the break that City had been found guilty of the majority of the 115 charges lodged against the club, although the verdict is subject to appeal.
Team news has now officially been confirmed, with further injury rumors having circulated on social media earlier in the day surrounding midfielders Szoboszlai and Alexis Mac Allister. While the latter is fit and starts alongside Ryan Gravenberch, the same cannot be said for Szoboszlai, who misses out.
Iraola issued an update on his condition prematch, telling Sky Sports: "Another one coming from the international games. He came with an overload, he felt a tight hamstring.
"He's tried somehow, kind of pushing through training, but he was not feeling 100 per cent and we will have to wait for Dom, yes."
The Hungary captain featured in all four of his country's Nations League matches during the international break. That included a victory and defeat against Ukraine, a draw against Northern Ireland and a triumph over Georgia.
He played 87 minutes in Hungary's final match against Ukraine on Monday and didn't appear to sustain the injury while away on international duty. He was pictured with his teammates in training on Thursday.
Szoboszlai joins a growing injury list for Liverpool, leaving head coach Andoni Iraola with plenty of selection headaches ahead of a crucial run of games. Forwards Alexander Isak and Cody Gakpo both sustained injuries while away with their respective national teams, while Jeremy Jacquet's fitness was also a concern, but the defender is fortunately fit to start against City.
In Szoboszlai's absence, Gravenberch steps in alongside Mac Allister, although the Dutchman has often not been favored by Iraola this season. Wataru Endo, James McConnell and Trey Nyoni make up the midfield options on the bench.
Dominik Szoboszlai of Liverpool reacts during the Premier League match against Ipswich Town
Dominik Szoboszlai misses the clash with Man City due to injury(Image: Photo by Justin Setterfield/Getty Images)
In attack, Lewis Koumas has been afforded a start in light of Isak's absence. Bradley Barcola and Victor Munoz start alongside him, with youngster Rio Ngumoha offering an option on the bench. Federico Chiesa also makes the matchday squad for the first time this season.
Liverpool will hope to record its first win over City in more than a year after losing all three meetings with the Manchester club last season, which included two Premier League defeats and one in the FA Cup.
In last season's meeting at Anfield, Szoboszlai went from zero to hero as he put Liverpool in front in the 74th minute, before City found an equalizer 10 minutes later. In stoppage time, he hauled down Erling Haaland in the box, with the striker clean through, and was sent off as a result, with the Norway international converting the resulting penalty.
It will be hoped Szoboszlai's injury is minor and his absence is precautionary given the run of fixtures Liverpool has ahead. After Sunday's clash with City, the Reds have a further five games across all competitions to contest before the month is out.