This is a brutal gut punch for Liverpool right before their absolute monster Premier League clash with Manchester City. Dominik Szoboszlai is not in the matchday squad, sidelined with a hamstring injury, and it’s a brutal blow to an already battered lineup facing a red-hot opponent. Manager Andoni Iraola didn’t even hint at Szoboszlai being an injury doubt during Friday’s press conference, so when the midfielder wasn’t spotted at the team’s hotel on Sunday morning, you know the alarms were going off.
Szoboszlai’s Sudden Absence Rocks the Reds
Szoboszlai’s hamstring issue puts him directly onto an already packed sidelines. We’re talking Alexander Isak, Cody Gakpo, and Hugo Ekititke already out of action. It’s wild: Liverpool is now short six key players for this showdown. Iraola told Sky Sports before kick-off that Szoboszlai is “another one coming from the international games, he came with an overload and felt a tight hamstring.” He tried pushing through training, but “he was not feeling 100% and we will have to wait for more news.” That’s the last thing you want to hear, especially for a player coming off international duty when you need everyone firing on all cylinders.
A Crippling List and a Debut Against the Best
This injury crisis means a 21-year-old, Lewis Koumas, is making his first ever start for the Reds, leading the line against a Manchester City side that’s won all five of their league matches this season. Talk about being thrown into the deep end, right? Iraola had already spoken on Friday about the growing list. Cody Gakpo is out with an ankle injury, the manager calling it a “really bad tackle.” Gakpo is “doing things individually” but not ready for today. Then there’s Alex Isak, with a thigh injury. Iraola describes it as “a small injury but it’s a muscle injury.” Good news is, neither Gakpo nor Isak look like long-term issues, with Iraola saying “we will be analysing day to day. But they are not going to arrive on Sunday.” Still, having them out for this massive game is a huge problem.
Can Liverpool’s Depth Step Up Against Undefeated City?
Despite the dire situation, Iraola tried to remain positive about his squad’s depth. He mentioned they don’t have Hugo Ekitike, who he calls “another very good striker” he’s looking forward to having available. Plus, there’s a chance to “maybe recover Fede Chiesa,” who’s also been injured but has been training with the small group during the international break. Iraola admitted, “A full No.9, it’s true that we probably only have [Lewis] Koumas right now,” but insisted there are “some other options,” including wingers who have played up front for other teams. He believes they will “put an XI with a level enough to compete for that game.” They better. They’re up against an undefeated Man City and they’re going to need every single player to play out of their mind.
So, all eyes are on that pitch today. Can Koumas deliver a debut performance for the ages? Can this patched-up Liverpool XI somehow pull off a miracle against a Man City squad that’s looked unstoppable? This isn’t just a game; it’s a test of sheer will and depth for Liverpool. Every single pass, every tackle, every shot is going to matter. Let’s see what they’ve got.
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by Yahoo Sports.
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