Andoni Iraola provides positive Liverpool injury update after double blow

Andoni Iraola provides positive Liverpool injury update after double blow Dominik Szoboszlai Injury Update Leaves Liverpool Waiting Again 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.” That attitude will please Liverpool, even if the medical department would have preferred a cleaner return. Jeremie Frimpong faces longer wait There was less encouragement on Jeremie Frimpong. The right-back came on at half-time against Brentford for Ronald Araujo and lasted only a matter of minutes before suffering a muscle injury. Iraola drew a clear distinction between the two cases. “I think they are different circumstances,” Iraola said. “Jeremie Frimpong is a muscle injury, and it happened in the second, third minute he was playing – difficult to predict. “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.” So, Liverpool’s position is straightforward. Szoboszlai remains a managed risk, Frimpong looks set for a longer absence, and Iraola heads into the Villarreal game with squad decisions already narrowed.