A former Hungary manager has pointed the finger of blame at Liverpool for Dominik Szoboszlai's knee injury
Dominik Szoboszlai arrives ahead of the English Premier League football match between Crystal Palace and Liverpool at Selhurst Park
Dominik Szoboszlai arrives ahead of the English Premier League football match between Crystal Palace and Liverpool at Selhurst Park(Image: AFP)
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Former Hungary manager Janos Csank has slammed Liverpool for not substituting Dominik Szoboszlai sooner in the 3-1 victory over Crystal Palace.
Szoboszlai suffered a knee injury shortly before half-time against the Eagles and received treatment on the pitch. But rather than being withdrawn, he returned after the break with his knee heavily strapped up before eventually being replaced in the 69th minute.
Reds boss Andoni Iraola admitted after the game that Szoboszlai might have to withdraw from the Hungary squad as a result of the injury.
However, the 26-year-old remained with the squad after undergoing tests, with the Hungarian Football Federation revealing that Szoboszlai will continue to work with medical staff before a final decision is made regarding his involvement during the November break.
Such a decision has prompted raised eyebrows from Liverpool supporters, given Iraola’s concerns and the fact that the midfielder also suffered an injury during the expanded September/October international break.
But rather than be concerned at the Hungary captain’s potential involvement while carrying a knee injury, Csank instead hit out at Liverpool for their handling of Szoboszlai against Palace.
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“I was really annoyed,” he told Blikk, as quoted by Sport Witness. “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.
“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!”
Hungary make their way to Georgia in their penultimate Nations League match on Saturday, before travelling to Northern Ireland next Tuesday.
Liverpool then return to action at home to Manchester United on Sunday 22 November.