Dominik Szoboszlai is the subject of a fitness update after the Liverpool midfielder was substituted in the 80th minute of Hungary’s 1-0 win over Georgia on Friday night. He had captained the side before he was taken off.
Hungary boss Marco Rossi said the change was precautionary. Szoboszlai had cramped up and looked tired as the game wore on, Rossi explained. In the same match, Liverpool full-back Milos Kerkez scored his first senior international goal to settle the contest.
Szoboszlai substituted with an apparent cramp
Rossi was direct about why he removed his captain with ten minutes still to play.
“He cramped and was very tired by the end,” the Hungary manager said. It was nothing more than caution with the game already won.
Rossi also spoke about Szoboszlai’s role within the national side when asked about his usage.
“Dominik, by the way, is capable of playing excellently in practically any attacking midfield position,” he said. Liverpool fans know that trait well. Szoboszlai shifts across midfield often at Anfield too, a theme touched on in Szoboszlai’s recent comments.
Kerkez’s goal was the other major talking point from the win.
“Thank God I scored my first goal in the national team,” the left back said afterwards.
Georgia goalkeeper Giorgi Mamardashvili, Liverpool’s own number one, played the full match for the opposition. He could not stop Kerkez’s effort from finding the net.
Latest Szobolsai fitness update for Liverpool
Szoboszlai has barely missed a game for Liverpool this season. That is why any fitness note draws attention, even when it is framed as precautionary. This Szoboszlai fitness update stayed low-key within the Hungary camp, with Rossi stressing tiredness and cramp rather than an injury concern. It follows a run of scrutiny on his Hungary form.
Elsewhere on international duty, the Liverpool Echo reports that centre back Jeremy Jacquet played the full ninety minutes for France in a 1-1 draw with Italy at the Stade de France. Bradley Barcola came on from the bench in the second half. Michael Olise put France ahead before Alessandro Bastoni levelled for Italy.
Jacquet is in his first run of senior caps for France. He has settled quickly since makin a move to Anfield. Trusting a Liverpool defender with a full ninety minutes for France says plenty about how quickly he has settled.
What is next for Liverpool internationals
According to the Liverpool Echo, France face Belgium on Monday evening in Saint-Denis. Jacquet and Barcola are both set to be involved again before the Liverpool contingent returns to domestic duty. Szoboszlai and Kerkez will head back to Merseyside once Hungary’s international break concludes.
Iraola’s staff will assess Szoboszlai’s conditioning before he returns to full training. Nothing in Rossi’s comments points to anything beyond routine fatigue. Both players come back to a Liverpool squad in good form, as detailed in our Bournemouth win report from before the break.
