Liverpool have been handed another potential injury concern ahead of their highly anticipated Premier League showdown against Manchester United, with Dominik Szoboszlai admitting that he came remarkably close to withdrawing from Hungary’s victory over Georgia after experiencing discomfort in his knee during the pre-match warm-up.
The 26-year-old midfielder completed the full 90 minutes as Hungary secured an important 2-0 victory in Tbilisi on Saturday, November 14. However, despite delivering an influential performance and contributing to both goals, his post-match comments have raised fresh questions about his physical condition and whether he will be ready for Liverpool’s upcoming fixtures.
For Liverpool manager Andoni Iraola, the situation is particularly concerning given how important Szoboszlai has become to the team’s midfield and overall performances this season.
The Hungarian international has already been managing a knee problem sustained during Liverpool’s victory over Crystal Palace, and his involvement in the international fixture was far from guaranteed.
In fact, the Hungarian Football Federation had previously confirmed that the midfielder was unable to pass a fitness test before joining the national team squad, leaving his availability for the Georgia encounter in serious doubt.
Nevertheless, after being monitored by the medical staff throughout the week, a late decision was made to allow him to feature.
Unfortunately, Szoboszlai’s latest admission suggests that his recovery is still a work in progress.
😳 Szoboszlai Reveals He Almost Pulled Out During Warm-Up
Speaking after Hungary’s victory over Georgia, Szoboszlai provided a worrying insight into what happened before kick-off, revealing that he seriously considered withdrawing after feeling discomfort in his knee during the warm-up.
The Liverpool midfielder explained that he had completed very little training ahead of the match but was determined to help his country despite the uncertainty surrounding his fitness.
“I had one and a half training sessions in my legs before playing today. If I’m honest, during the warm-up I was close to saying no after I felt it during one of the shots,” Szoboszlai told M4 Sport, in comments reported by Telex.
“But I thought that if I’d come this far, I wasn’t going to let the team down. So I played as best I could and tried to give everything.”
His comments highlight just how close Hungary came to losing one of their most important players before the match even started.
Although Szoboszlai eventually managed to complete the entire 90 minutes, the decision to play through the discomfort will inevitably attract attention from Liverpool supporters, particularly with the club’s medical department expected to assess his condition when he returns.
🚑 ‘The Treatment Starts All Over Again’ – Fresh Concern For Liverpool
Perhaps the most worrying part of Szoboszlai’s interview came when he discussed what happens next.
Rather than confirming that the problem had completely disappeared, the midfielder admitted that he would have to begin another round of treatment following his appearance against Georgia.
“My leg was good, but now the treatment starts all over again. I have to be ready again by Tuesday.”
That statement suggests that although he was able to perform for 90 minutes, his recovery process is not necessarily complete.
It also raises questions about whether Hungary will risk involving him in their next fixture against Northern Ireland on Tuesday, November 17.
With another international assignment approaching, Szoboszlai faces a difficult balancing act between his commitment to Hungary and the need to avoid aggravating an injury that could affect his club campaign.
Liverpool will certainly be hoping that the midfielder does not push himself beyond his physical limits during the international break.
🔴 Liverpool’s Manchester United Clash Now A Major Concern
The timing of this latest development could hardly be worse for Liverpool.
Andoni Iraola’s side are preparing for one of their biggest fixtures of the season, with Manchester United scheduled to visit Anfield on Sunday, November 22.
It is a game that carries enormous significance for both clubs, and Liverpool will want their strongest possible squad available as they prepare to face their fierce rivals.
Szoboszlai’s importance to the team cannot be underestimated.
His energy, pressing, work rate, technical ability and willingness to contribute in both attacking and defensive situations have made him a crucial figure in Iraola’s system.
He offers Liverpool something different in midfield, combining physical intensity with creativity and an ability to influence matches in the final third.
Losing him for such an important encounter would therefore represent a significant setback, especially if Liverpool are already dealing with other fitness concerns.
However, there is currently no confirmation that Szoboszlai has suffered a fresh injury or that his appearance against Georgia has caused additional damage.
His ability to complete the full match is at least an encouraging sign, but his admission that he felt discomfort during the warm-up and needs to restart treatment means Liverpool cannot afford to take unnecessary risks.
👀 What Happens Next?
Liverpool will be monitoring developments closely, with Szoboszlai’s condition likely to become clearer following Hungary’s final international fixture and his subsequent return to Merseyside.
The immediate question is whether Hungary will allow him to feature against Northern Ireland or decide that protecting his fitness is the better option.
From Liverpool’s perspective, there will be little reason to take unnecessary risks with a player who is so important to their plans.
Iraola will undoubtedly want Szoboszlai available for the Manchester United encounter, but the club’s priority must be ensuring that the midfielder is fully recovered rather than rushing him back prematurely.
For now, Liverpool
