Liverpool have clarity on Dominik Szoboszlai, even if they do not yet have him fully fit. Andoni Iraola has confirmed the midfielder has not suffered a fresh setback after being forced off in the 2-1 win over Brentford, but the message is simple, patience is still required.
Szoboszlai returned to the starting line-up in west London after missing matches against Manchester City and LASK Linz. He lasted 32 minutes before coming off, raising immediate concern over the hamstring issue he picked up while away with Hungary. Iraola has now made clear the problem remains the same one, and that Liverpool have avoided a worse outcome.
Andoni Iraola clarifies Szoboszlai setback
The Liverpool head coach was direct in his assessment. “It is not a new injury. I think it was in the same place it was probably the past week.
“He hasn’t worsened the injury but probably we have to be a little bit more patient until he recovers fully.
“But it’s not like he now has to wait a lot more time to come back – it’s more or less the same situation he was in last week. We need more patience with him.”
Photo: IMAGO
That matters. A recurrence is frustrating, but a significantly aggravated hamstring problem would have been far more damaging, especially with the Champions League meeting with Villarreal next on the schedule. For now, Liverpool are managing a player who is close, but clearly not close enough.
Brentford effort earns praise
Iraola also made a point of praising Szoboszlai’s willingness to put himself on the line. Brentford away is rarely subtle. It is physical, aggressive and uncomfortable, exactly the sort of fixture that tests any player carrying a problem.
As the manager put it, “I appreciate the effort he did the other day to be available, to want to contribute in a very difficult game – you know it is going to be very physical, one of the most physical teams in Brentford.
“To put himself in front and want to play, speaks very well about him.”
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