Dominik Szoboszlai has admitted he must start listening to his body rather than his heart after enduring one of the hardest spells of his Liverpool career.
The Liverpool midfielder has had an injury-ravaged start to the season and is still adapting to new boss Andoni Iraola's style of play. It is a stark contrast to his previous campaigns at Anfield, where he prided himself on always being available, having played 67 games for club and country last season.
This season has been stop-start for the Hungary international after a hamstring issue, and he has found it difficult to watch from the stands. Szoboszlai made a quick return to the squad as a substitute against Arsenal on Sunday and hopes to be ready to start against Fenerbahce in the Champions League.
Szoboszlai on injury frustration
Szoboszlai said: "The worst thing is to be injured and watch the guys from the stands or TV. I'm happy to be back, feeling good, feeling fit, and ready to go again on Wednesday.
"It's very hard, you know. I'm the type of player, as you might know, that the last three seasons I want to play every 90 minutes but sometimes your body says 'rest a little bit' and my body told me to 'Stay calm, you've had enough games now'.
"I missed games against City and LASK and then I felt again very good after a couple of days off but it seemed I wasn't ready but sometimes it is my heart and I listen to my heart and not my body.
"These decisions I made with what happened in the last weeks so the plan to come in against Arsenal – I was actually ready from the start but I've played 30 minutes and let's see from now on."
Adjusting to Iraola's tactics
Szoboszlai admits he is still adjusting to Iraola's style and tactics since the Spaniard took over at Anfield in the summer. He says it is easy days but they will get even better.
The signs are already promising, apart from the Arsenal defeat, but Szoboszlai acknowledges he will have to adapt to different demands and might have to play different roles. The Hungary international is convinced Iraola can get the best out of him.
When asked whether the manager's plans suit him personally, Szoboszlai said: "It depends where he puts me. In a 6 he might ask me different stuff, as a 10 he might ask me different stuff as an 8.
"I only know before the game what I'm going to play, we all know only before the game so from there is only one and half hours to discuss with him the stuff he wants to do in the game and how he wants you to play.
"He wants to go most of the time 1 v 1, don't let them play. We have big guys at the back so if the long ball comes we can win it with Ronald Araujo, Jeremy Jaquet and Virgil van Dijk. This fits us, we just have to get used to it.
"Yes, of course he can (the best out of me). Where I played most is the 8, yes. Where he wants me to play from now on you have to ask him.
"It's hard to say my best position because there are games where we have the ball more so I like to have the ball more as a 6, getting the ball from Virgil and doing stuff from there. As a 10 I think I can also be dangerous, as an 8. Wherever he puts me I try to do my best.
"Now we are in November so it has been a couple of months since we started so we are getting to know each other. Bradley Barcola coming in he is also getting used to us as he wasn't here in the pre-season. Happy for everyone and we are just focusing on the next game."
