Iraola Confirms Szoboszlai Injury Not New, Frimpong Out Longer

Iraola: Szoboszlai injury not new, but Liverpool must be patient

Liverpool head coach Andoni Iraola has confirmed that Dominik Szoboszlai did not suffer a fresh setback after being forced off in the 2-1 win over Brentford, but the midfielder still requires patience. Meanwhile, Jeremie Frimpong faces a longer absence with a muscle injury.

Match: Brentford 1-2 Liverpool (Premier League)
Szoboszlai: Withdrawn after 32 minutes, same hamstring issue, no fresh setback
Frimpong: Muscle injury after coming on at half-time, likely out until after next international break
Next fixture: Villarreal in the Champions League
Manager: Andoni Iraola

What was said

"It is not a new injury. I think it was in the same place it was probably the past week."
— Andoni Iraola on Dominik Szoboszlai

"He hasn’t worsened the injury but probably we have to be a little bit more patient until he recovers fully."
— Andoni Iraola

"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."
— Andoni Iraola

"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."
— Andoni Iraola on Szoboszlai

"To put himself in front and want to play, speaks very well about him."
— Andoni Iraola

"I think they are different circumstances. Jeremie Frimpong is a muscle injury, and it happened in the second, third minute he was playing – difficult to predict."
— Andoni Iraola on Frimpong

"We will have to wait until he recovers, but it is going to be difficult I think before the [next international] break. We will try, but it is going to be difficult to have him."
— Andoni Iraola on Frimpong

Iraola’s comments clarify that Dominik Szoboszlai has not suffered a new hamstring injury, but the problem remains in the same area and requires careful management. The midfielder returned to the starting line-up against Brentford after missing matches against Manchester City and LASK Linz, only to come off after 32 minutes. The positive news is that the injury has not worsened, meaning his recovery timeline is largely unchanged from last week.

On Jeremie Frimpong, Iraola was less optimistic. The right-back, who replaced Ronald Araujo at half-time, picked up a muscle injury within minutes of coming on. The Liverpool boss admitted it will be "difficult" to have Frimpong available before the next international break, suggesting a longer spell on the sidelines.

Injury and availability

Dominik Szoboszlai: Hamstring issue (same as previous week), no fresh setback, but needs patience to recover fully. Remains a managed risk.
Jeremie Frimpong: Muscle injury sustained shortly after coming on at Brentford. Likely to miss the next international break, with Iraola admitting it will be "difficult" to have him back before then.

Why Liverpool must resist rushing Szoboszlai back

Dominik Szoboszlai’s willingness to play through discomfort is admirable, but Liverpool’s medical staff face a delicate balancing act. The midfielder’s hamstring problem has not worsened, but it remains a live issue. Rushing him back for the Champions League clash with Villarreal could risk a more severe tear, especially given the intensity of European football. Iraola’s insistence on patience suggests the club will err on the side of caution.

With Jeremie Frimpong now facing a longer absence, Liverpool’s squad depth will be tested. The right-back position becomes a concern, with Ronald Araujo having started there against Brentford before making way at half-time. Araujo, naturally a centre-back, may be required to fill in again, but that leaves the defence stretched. The upcoming fixtures, including the Villarreal game, will demand rotation, and Iraola must find solutions without two key players.

Szoboszlai’s availability for Villarreal remains uncertain, but even if he features, he will not be at full fitness. Liverpool’s midfield will need to compensate for his limited mobility, perhaps by deploying a more defensive shape or relying on the energy of other players. The manager’s comments indicate that the Hungarian international is close, but not close enough to start without risk. Expect a bench role at best.

Talking points

Should Liverpool risk Szoboszlai against Villarreal or save him for the Premier League? The midfielder is clearly not 100%, and a recurrence could be costly.
Frimpong’s injury leaves Liverpool light at right-back. Is Araujo the long-term solution there, or should Iraola look to the academy?
Iraola praised Szoboszlai’s desire to play, but is that mentality actually helpful when managing a hamstring issue? Sometimes caution is braver.
With Frimpong likely out until after the international break, Liverpool’s squad depth will be tested. Are they equipped to cope?

What happens next

Liverpool face Villarreal in the Champions League next, and Iraola must decide whether Szoboszlai is fit enough to feature. The midfielder will be assessed, but even if available, he is unlikely to start. Frimpong’s absence means Araujo may continue at right-back. The next international break will provide a clearer picture of Frimpong’s recovery, but Liverpool must navigate the upcoming fixtures without two important players.

Frequently asked questions

Is Dominik Szoboszlai injured for Liverpool?

Szoboszlai is managing a hamstring issue but has not suffered a new injury. He was forced off after 32 minutes against Brentford, but Iraola confirmed it is the same problem as before and requires patience.

How long will Jeremie Frimpong be out?

Frimpong suffered a muscle injury shortly after coming on against Brentford. Iraola said it will be "difficult" to have him back before the next international break.