Andoni Iraola’s sobbing defence deepens Liverpool’s injury concerns
Dominik Szoboszlai’s fitness has become a genuine issue for Hungary ahead of this month’s Nations League fixtures. There is no point dressing it up. The Liverpool midfielder arrived in camp carrying a knee sprain, and the decision over whether he can feature is expected to go down to the wire.
The 26‑year‑old was assessed by Hungary’s medical staff after joining the squad in Telki on Monday evening. Earlier in the season he missed five Liverpool matches with a hamstring problem following the September and October international window.
He had only just made it back into the matchday squad for the Premier League defeat to Arsenal before the new problem emerged. Hungary confirmed the issue stems from the knee sprain suffered in Liverpool’s 3‑1 win over Crystal Palace on November 8.
A final call will “almost certainly only be made at the last minute”. Hungary are in limbo before the trip to Georgia on Saturday, November 14, and the home meeting with Northern Ireland at the Puskas Arena on Tuesday, November 17. Hungary face a nervy wait ahead of the Georgia match.
Criticism of injury handling
Former Hungary captain and manager Janos Csank said: “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 added: “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.” Szoboszlai received treatment before half‑time at Selhurst Park, played on with his knee strapped, and was taken off in the 69th minute, replaced by Trey Nyoni.
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After the game, Andoni Iraola said the midfielder was “fine, but not 100 per cent”, adding: “The last thing we need now is to lose players in the international games.” Liverpool have already seen players return from international duty with fitness issues, including Alexander Isak, Cody Gakpo and Szoboszlai himself earlier in the campaign.
Implications for club and country
Hungary manager Marco Rossi now has to decide whether to risk his captain or consider alternatives such as Vasas midfielder Jozsef Urblík. Hungary are second in League B Group 2 with seven points from four matches, one behind Northern Ireland. Top spot means promotion to League A, second place means a promotion play‑off in March. Szoboszlai’s availability could directly affect that equation, and for Liverpool it is another anxious wait before the return to Premier League action against Manchester United at Anfield on Sunday, November 22.
A statement from the Hungarian Football Federation said Szoboszlai, who was substituted in the 69th minute of Liverpool’s match yesterday, is undergoing tests following the usual protocol. It was subsequently confirmed that Szoboszlai would remain with the squad, which probably did not please Iraola.
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I think he extended a little bit the knee, he was fine, but not 100 per cent.” He warned that the team should avoid a repeat of the previous international break when Liverpool lost Alexander Isak, Cody Gakpo and Dom.