Dominik Szoboszlai Injury Update Raises Liverpool Concerns After Hungary Win

Dominik Szoboszlai has done what footballers often do on international duty, he played when common sense probably suggested caution. For Liverpool, that is the problem.

The midfielder featured for the full 90 minutes in Hungary’s 2-0 win over Georgia, setting up Barnabas Varga for the second goal, despite clear doubt over whether he should have been involved at all. After taking a knock in Liverpool’s win at Crystal Palace, his fitness had already become a concern. What followed in Tbilisi will not calm anyone at Anfield.

Szoboszlai admitted afterwards that he came very close to pulling out during the warm-up. That matters, because this was not a case of a player shaking off a minor issue and getting on with it. This was a player who felt something again before kick-off and still carried on.

Hungary Captain Played Through Pain

The Hungary captain explained the situation plainly: “I was always 100% sure that I would be able to play, but the doctors were less sure. I progressed day by day, focused on myself, received treatment.

“I played with my leg for a training session and a half, and in the warm-up I was close to cancelling it because I felt my leg on one of the shots, but if I’ve come this far, I won’t let the team down. Now the treatment starts all over again. I have to be ready again by Tuesday.”

Photo: IMAGO

That is admirable from a captain’s perspective. It is less admirable if you are Liverpool’s medical staff. When a player says the doctors were unsure, then adds that he nearly withdrew in the warm-up, the issue is obvious. He was not fully fit.

Liverpool Injury Worry Builds Before Busy Schedule

There is another issue here. Szoboszlai has already stated his intention to be ready again for Hungary’s next game against Northern Ireland. That means Liverpool head coach Andoni Iraola will now be waiting on events and hoping the player does not push too far, too quickly.

Liverpool face a demanding run of fixtures before the end of December, and Szoboszlai remains an important part of the side when fit and sharp. Energy, pressing and ball progression are central to his game. A knee problem managed badly can blunt all of that.

Szoboszlai Fitness Will Be Closely Watched

There is no mystery here. Hungary needed their captain and he delivered. Liverpool now need him to come back intact. Those are competing interests, and clubs usually lose that argument once a player reports for national duty.

For now, Liverpool can only monitor the situation and wait. Szoboszlai got through one match, but his own words make it clear that this knee injury has not gone away. That is the part that matters most.

With another Hungary appearance still possible, the concern around the Dominik Szoboszlai injury update is entirely justified.