Crystal Palace FC v Liverpool FC - Premier League 2026/27 - Source: Getty
Crystal Palace FC v Liverpool FC - Premier League 2026/27 - Source: Getty
Hungary have confirmed that captain Dominik Szoboszlai suffered a knee sprain in Liverpool’s 3-1 Premier League win at Crystal Palace on Sunday, and that a decision on whether he faces Georgia and Northern Ireland will go to the last moment.
In a statement on X on Tuesday (November 10), the Hungarian Football Federation said the Liverpool midfielder had undergone “the required medical examinations” and that, following the knee sprain, “the national team’s medical staff will do everything possible over the coming days” to have him available to the coaching staff. Any decision, it added, “will almost certainly only be made at the last minute”.
The problem surfaced shortly before half-time at Selhurst Park. Szoboszlai played on with the joint heavily strapped and returned for the second half wearing a knee brace, but he was withdrawn in the 69th minute, with Trey Nyoni coming on. He had earlier whipped in the free-kick that Alexis Mac Allister headed past Dean Henderson for the opening goal.
Szoboszlai reported to Hungary’s training base in Telki on Monday evening. The 26-year-old has been at Liverpool since 2023, when he joined from RB Leipzig.
Hungary are second in Nations League Group B2 with seven points from four games, one point behind leaders Northern Ireland. Marco Rossi’s side travel to Georgia on Saturday (November 14) before hosting Northern Ireland in Budapest on Tuesday, November 17.
A month ago, Szoboszlai aggravated a thigh problem during the October international window, broke down half an hour into his comeback at Brentford and missed five matches. He had started Sunday’s game after being named among the substitutes for the recent league defeat by Arsenal.
Liverpool boss Andoni Iraola’s comments about Szoboszlai’s injury after the Palace win
Speaking after the win at Selhurst Park, Iraola said (via the Independent):
I think he extended a little bit the knee, he was fine, but not 100 per cent.
He added:
The last thing we need now is to lose players in the international games. Last time, we lost three very important players. It’s the last thing we need, so I hope he can take care of it.
The Liverpool head coach was equally clear about what he would prefer, while accepting the national teams have a say:
I know what I want, but I also have to understand the national teams.
Iraola said Liverpool’s medical staff would carry out their own assessment of the joint. In Hungary, Marco Rossi has already identified a stand-in, telling his press conference last week that Vasas midfielder Urblík József could step in for his captain.