Hungary Manager Defiantly Rejects Liverpool's Rest Request for Szoboszlai
Hungary national team boss Marco Rossi has launched a sharp rebuke against Liverpool head coach Arne Slot, after the Premier League manager pushed for his key players, including captain Dominik Szoboszlai, to be rested during the current international break. Slot had made a public plea to all international managers, expressing significant concerns over player fatigue and requesting protection for his squad members.
Szoboszlai's Heavy Workload Sparks Club vs Country Tension
Dominik Szoboszlai, widely regarded as Liverpool's standout performer this season, has been at the centre of this escalating dispute. The dynamic Hungarian midfielder has contributed an impressive 12 goals and eight assists from the centre of the park. His workload has been immense, with 43 appearances for the Reds this campaign—only Virgil van Dijk has featured more frequently—and he has even been forced to deputise at right-back due to injury crises at Anfield.
Rossi pointedly referenced Slot's own use of Szoboszlai in an unfamiliar full-back role as he pushed back against the rest request. 'Personally, I have never spoken to Slot, and I have never had any say in when and what decision he makes, when he will play Dominik as a full-back,' Rossi told Hungarian newspaper Magyar Hirlap. 'But I would also expect him not to interfere in my work.'
National Team Priority Stressed Amid Fixture Congestion
The Hungary manager emphasised that participation for the national side remains voluntary and a matter of pride. 'It is not just me who decides this, I am not obliged to play anyone. If Dominik said he would like to rest, of course I would allow him,' Rossi stated. 'But we know that he is the captain of this national team, the national jersey is his priority. If we had to save his energy, whether it was for him or anyone else, he could do it. However, for us, the national team is the priority, now it is about playing good games.'
Szoboszlai is joined in the Hungary squad by his Liverpool teammate Milos Kerkez. Hungary are scheduled to host Slovenia in a friendly on Saturday, followed by another match against Greece on Tuesday. This diplomatic clash mirrors a similar situation involving Slovenia's manager Bostjan Cesar, who recently warned Manchester United he would not be pressured over Benjamin Sesko's availability, though Sesko will miss the friendlies with a minor injury.
Slot's Fatigue Concerns Amid Liverpool's Crucial Run-In
Arne Slot's concerns stem from Liverpool's packed schedule and a vital upcoming period for the club. Following a 2-1 Premier League defeat to Brighton last week—which came just days after a Champions League last-16 victory—Slot voiced his apprehension. 'I think the players need a break more than the manager and unfortunately they have to keep on playing,' Slot told the BBC.
'Let's hope that their national team coaches do understand that at Liverpool a lot of players have played a lot of minutes. But I think other clubs perhaps could have rotated more than I could have this season. So, let's hope that we've got national team coaches that will not play them 180 minutes over two games.'
Liverpool face a critical sequence of fixtures after the international break. Currently fifth in the Premier League and battling for Champions League qualification, the Reds travel to Manchester City for an FA Cup quarter-final on April 4, followed by a Champions League quarter-final first leg against holders Paris Saint-Germain just four days later. This high-stakes period underscores why Slot is so keen to manage his players' minutes, setting the stage for continued tension between club and country interests.
