Dominik Szoboszlai has handed Liverpool a significant fitness boost ahead of their Premier League meeting with Manchester United, having completed 90 minutes for Hungary despite heavy strapping on his right knee.
The midfielder's availability for Hungary's Nations League double-header was in doubt earlier in the week after Liverpool head coach Andoni Iraola admitted Szoboszlai was not at full fitness. The concern followed a knee sprain sustained in the 3-1 win over Crystal Palace, after which Szoboszlai joined up with his national team for further tests.
Positive Feedback Eases Concerns
Feedback on the 26-year-old has been largely positive, easing worries for Liverpool, who host Manchester United in their first Premier League game after the international break. Despite worrying footage of Szoboszlai's right knee being heavily strapped, he played the full match in Hungary's 2-0 win over Georgia and provided an assist for Barnabas Varga.
Speaking after the game, Szoboszlai admitted he nearly withdrew from the match. "During the warm-up I was close to saying that I wouldn't be able to play after all," he told reporters. "I felt the injury during one of my shots. But I thought to myself that, having come this far, I wasn't going to let the team down. So I tried to give everything I had, as best as I could."
Next Challenge Ahead
Szoboszlai added: "My leg felt good, but now the treatment process starts all over again, and I need to be ready for Tuesday."
Hungary face Northern Ireland on Tuesday night in their decisive final Nations League B, Group 2 match. Szoboszlai's side sit second in the table, a point behind Northern Ireland, and must win to secure promotion to League A.
The midfielder is likely to start in Budapest, and Iraola will be hoping the Liverpool No8 comes through the game unscathed ahead of the Manchester United showdown at Anfield five days later.
