Andoni Iraola has revealed the reason Dominik Szoboszlai was left out of Liverpool’s squad for their crucial 2026/27 Premier League showdown against Manchester City at Anfield, confirming that the midfielder was struggling with a tight hamstring after returning from international duty.
The Liverpool manager addressed Szoboszlai’s absence during his pre-match interview with Sky Sports, explaining that the Hungarian international returned from his national team commitments carrying an overload and subsequently experienced tightness in his hamstring.
Speaking ahead of the highly anticipated encounter, Iraola said: “Another one coming from the international games. He came with an overload, he felt a tight hamstring.
“He’s tried somehow, kind of pushing through training, but he was not feeling 100 per cent and we will have to wait for Dom, yes.”
Szoboszlai’s absence represents a significant setback for Liverpool, considering the important role he has played in the team’s midfield this season. The Hungarian midfielder had started every one of Liverpool’s Premier League matches before this fixture, making him a regular presence in Iraola’s starting lineup.
His omission is particularly disappointing given the importance of the meeting with Manchester City, with Liverpool facing one of their biggest tests of the campaign at Anfield. Losing a player who has featured consistently throughout the opening stages of the season is an unwanted development for the Reds ahead of such a high-profile encounter.
Although Iraola did not suggest that Szoboszlai would be available for the match, his comments indicate that the midfielder attempted to work through the discomfort during training but ultimately failed to regain full fitness ahead of the game.
Meanwhile, Szoboszlai’s absence could open the door for Lewis Koumas to earn a starting opportunity against Pep Guardiola’s Manchester City side. Should he be selected, the young forward will have an opportunity to impress the manager and demonstrate what he can contribute in a fixture that demands a strong performance from Liverpool.
With Szoboszlai unavailable, attention will now turn to how Liverpool adjust their lineup and whether the players brought in to replace him can help the Reds cope with the challenge posed by Manchester City.
