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Liverpool‘s decision to not replace Dominik Szoboszlai immediately after going down against Crystal Palace led to anger in Hungary.
The midfielder was struggling with a thigh problem in October, forcing him to miss five matches for Liverpool.
Since regaining full fitness, he has made three appearances for the Premier League side. This includes the 3-1 win over Crystal Palace in the league last weekend.
The Hungary international picked up an injury in the first half but continued to play for 69 minutes against the Eagles.
Iraola and Liverpool slammed
Dominik Szoboszlai
FRANKFURT, GERMANY – 22 OCTOBER, 2025: Dominik Szoboszlai – UEFA Champions League, match SG Eintracht Frankfurt vs Liverpool FC at Deutsche Bank Park.
Last month, Hungary sports doctor György Bakanek warned Dominik Szoboszlai to be cautious.
Thursday’s print edition of Blikk caught up with former Hungary captain János Csank to discuss the 26-year-old’s current situation. He has wasted no time pinning the blame on Andoni Iraola’s side.
Csank talked about his annoyance over the way the Merseyside club handled the player against Crystal Palace.
“I was really annoyed. Szoboszlai went down on the pitch in the first half, and at half-time I was certain he wouldn’t come back on for the second half,” he said.
“Then I saw him standing there on the pitch, with black tape on his leg, his knee. Then the manager starts sobbing that he is injured. He should have been substituted straight away, they were leading 1–0. Half-time comes, and then he sends him back on injured, with his knee bandaged?! I’m losing my mind, I just don’t get it!”
Big concern about Liverpool star
Following the latest blow, the national team’s medical staff carried out further tests. The results have shown that manager Marco Rossi will have to make a last-minute decision on his involvement against Georgia this weekend.
If Dominik Szoboszlai were to miss the clash against Georgia, János Csank believes Vasas’ József Urblík can replace him. The Liverpool star also captains Hungary, who will miss his leadership role in his absence.
However, Urblík remains optimistic that won’t be a big concern for the upcoming fixtures. He also highlights the former RB Leipzig man’s attacking duties.
“I think he gets a little more freedom than he should, for example, he should not take kicks! I don’t agree that he has to do everything. The others should serve him, and he should strengthen the attack with all his might, helping the team play in the opponent’s half,” Urblík explained.
“When we bring the ball out in our half of the field, Szoboszlai would have nothing to do with it, the others, the Schäfers, who also play anywhere, can pass. The main thing for him would be to get the ball in the opponent’s half of the field, in an empty area.”
Andoni Iraola and Liverpool will keep a close watch on how Szoboszlai’s fitness situation evolves in the coming days. Both the midfielder and Milos Kerkez didn’t take part in training on Tuesday.
Sport Witness injury analysis for Dominik Szoboszlai
DOMINIK SZOBOSZLAIInjury history · Salzburg, RB Leipzig & Liverpool
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Season Club Injury / illness Recorded period
2018/19 Salzburg Ankle injury / ligament damage 11 August–13 September 2018
2018/19 Salzburg Ankle injury 15–22 September 2018
2020/21–2021/22 RB Leipzig Groin / adductor injury 5 January–16 July 2021*
2021/22 RB Leipzig Muscle injury 13–19 November 2021
2021/22 RB Leipzig Knock / ankle problem 21–27 November 2021
2023/24 Liverpool Ankle injury 24–29 July 2023
2023/24 Liverpool Hamstring / thigh injury 5–28 January 2024*
2023/24 Liverpool Hamstring injury 4–29 February 2024*
2024/25 Liverpool Unspecified injury 12–16 August 2024
2024/25 Liverpool Illness 5–10 January 2025
2026/27 Liverpool Hamstring injury 11–16 October 2026
2026/27 Liverpool Hamstring / muscle injury recurrence 18–31 October 2026
2026/27 Liverpool Knee issue 8 November 2026–under assessment
RECENT INJURIES & CURRENT STATUS
October hamstring problem
Recurrence at Brentford
Latest knee concern
Scope: Published senior-career injury and illness records. Suspensions excluded. Pre-season fitness issues are included; not every entry represents a missed competitive fixture. Historical coverage may be incomplete.
Dates: Historical periods generally follow Soccerway. *Transfermarkt dates the prolonged adductor absence from 22 December 2020 to 1 July 2021, and the two 2024 hamstring absences from 1–26 January and 31 January–29 February. These are alternative records of the same spells, not additional injuries.
Current issue: The knee problem occurred on 8 November; the database absence entry begins on 9 November. An assessment entry does not establish the severity or a confirmed period out.
Updated: 12 November 2026.