Former Hungary manager Janos Csank has criticised Liverpool for not substituting Dominik Szoboszlai sooner during the 3-1 victory over Crystal Palace.
Szoboszlai suffered a knee injury shortly before half-time at Selhurst Park and received treatment on the pitch. He returned after the break with his knee heavily strapped before being replaced in the 69th minute.
Liverpool's handling questioned
Reds boss Andoni Iraola admitted after the game that Szoboszlai might have to withdraw from the Hungary squad because of the injury. However, the 26-year-old remained with the squad after undergoing tests, with the Hungarian Football Federation saying Szoboszlai will continue to work with medical staff before a final decision on his involvement during the November break.
The decision has raised eyebrows among Liverpool supporters, given Iraola's concerns and the fact the midfielder also suffered an injury during the expanded September/October international break.
Csank's frustration
Rather than being concerned about the Hungary captain's potential involvement while carrying a knee injury, Csank instead criticised Liverpool for their handling of Szoboszlai against Palace.
"I was really annoyed," he told Blikk, as quoted by Sport Witness. "Szoboszlai went down on the pitch in the first half, and at half-time I was certain he wouldn't come back on for the second half."
"Then I saw him standing there on the pitch, with black tape on his leg, his knee. Then the manager starts sobbing that he is injured."
"He should have been substituted straight away, they were leading 1-0. Half-time comes, and then he sends him back on injured, with his knee bandaged?! I'm losing my mind, I just don't get it!"
Upcoming fixtures
Hungary travel to Georgia in their penultimate Nations League match on Saturday, before heading to Northern Ireland next Tuesday. Liverpool return to action at home to Manchester United on Sunday 22 November.
