Liverpool Lose Szoboszlai and Frimpong to Injuries After Brentford Win
Liverpool will be without Dominik Szoboszlai and Jeremie Frimpong for a period after both players suffered injuries during Saturday’s 2-1 Premier League victory over Brentford.
Szoboszlai was substituted after 32 minutes, having felt the hamstring problem that had already ruled him out of Liverpool’s previous two matches. Frimpong came on at the interval but lasted only seven minutes before he too had to leave the field.
Head coach Iraola said Szoboszlai’s issue was a recurrence rather than a separate injury, and that the midfielder will require further recovery time before returning.
“Dom felt the same injury,” Iraola said. “It is not a new one and it was probably not fully healed, so we will need more time with him.”
Frimpong’s setback is understood to be unrelated. Iraola said the Dutchman had finished Liverpool’s recent match against LASK with cramp before suffering the fresh problem against Brentford.
The coach had brought Frimpong on in the second half with Brentford down to 10 men, believing his attacking qualities could offer more than Ronald in a game Liverpool were trying to push forward in. Iraola also praised Victor’s display at right-back after the reshuffle.
Recovery concerns after European schedule
Iraola described Liverpool’s fitness situation as particularly difficult following their Champions League trip in midweek. The squad returned home late at night after playing away in Europe only two days before the Brentford match, leaving limited time for proper recovery.
He said selection had become a choice between players who had started two recent games and were carrying fatigue, and others returning from injury without complete certainty over their condition.
“It is a very delicate situation,” Iraola said, explaining that the workload had forced difficult decisions across the squad.
Villarreal and Brighton next
Liverpool must now prepare for a demanding home schedule without Szoboszlai and Frimpong. Villarreal visit Anfield on Tuesday in the Champions League, with Liverpool holding a maximum six points in the overall standings.
After the European fixture, the Reds remain at Anfield for a Premier League meeting with Brighton.
