Dominik Szoboszlai missed Liverpool’s last match and will miss their next one. The midfielder came back from international duty with a hamstring problem.
Andoni Iraola confirmed the injury ruled Szoboszlai out of the Premier League meeting with Manchester City. His absence only became public when Liverpool released their teamsheet on Sunday.
Iraola told Sky Sports that Szoboszlai tried to push through training but did not feel fully fit. Liverpool lost 3-0 at Anfield after Ryan Gravenberch’s second-half dismissal ended their unbeaten start under Iraola.
The setback now extends to Europe. Szoboszlai was left out of the 23-man squad travelling to Austria for Wednesday’s Champions League game against LASK.
His workload before the injury was heavy. He started all four of Hungary’s Nations League games during the break and played 347 minutes in 11 days. That took his season total to 906 minutes for club and country.
Liverpool’s focus has now turned to the Champions League and there is a trip to Brentford on Sunday.
His Hungary and Liverpool team-mate Milos Kerkez was asked whether Szoboszlai could make it.
“I don’t know if he is fit for Saturday. You’ll have to ask the gaffer that,” Kerkez said.
He then spoke about Szoboszlai’s mentality. “I know Dom and he doesn’t like to be out long. Knowing him, he wants to play every game and will want to play Saturday.”
Kerkez knows the demands of the schedule. He picked up a one-match Nations League ban against Georgia and left the Hungary camp early, so he missed the Ukraine game.
He leads Liverpool’s players this season with 564 minutes, five more than Szoboszlai’s 559.
Szoboszlai’s absence would hurt more at Brentford. Gravenberch is suspended for that game after his red card against City, and he can return in the league against Brighton on October 25.
Liverpool have not given a return date. The club appears to be taking a cautious approach to avoid a more serious injury.
Iraola said it would be difficult for any injured player to return for LASK, and Liverpool play eight games in 28 days. After the City game, he said only that the club would have to wait on Szoboszlai.
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