Liverpool must act tougher on international duty after Dominik Szoboszlai picked up a knee injury, according to John Aldridge via Yahoo.
Szoboszlai sustained the issue during Liverpool’s 3-1 win against Crystal Palace at Selhurst Park, a result that lifted the Reds to fourth in the Premier League table. Despite the injury scare, the 26-year-old midfielder linked up with the Hungary squad, leaving his availability for upcoming UEFA Nations League fixtures against Georgia and Northern Ireland dependent on ongoing fitness assessments by Hungary’s medical staff.
The situation has sparked debate on Merseyside regarding club versus country commitments, particularly given a demanding upcoming fixture schedule. Rivals would protect players better, Aldridge said, arguing that Liverpool should have intervened.
“Any other club would pull them out of international duty. Manchester United, Arsenal, Man City, they’d all pull them. We’ve seen it before. Any doubt and that’s it, decision made, you’re not playing. I don’t understand why we don’t throw our weight around like that.”
said John Aldridge, as reported by Yahoo Sports.
Aldridge acknowledged players take pride in national teams, noting his own experiences playing for Ireland.
“I understand players want to play for their country. I was the same with Ireland. I would answer call-ups even when I was injured. I get what it means and how much it means to players, but any other club would just pull them. That’s not happened here, I don’t know why. Hopefully that just means it’s not that serious.”
added John Aldridge, according to Yahoo Sports.
Andoni Iraola expressed similar anxiety regarding the timing of the international break following the victory at Crystal Palace, where Szoboszlai was substituted in the 69th minute after playing part of the match with a knee brace.
said Andoni Iraola, according to BBC and football360.com.au.
Iraola said that Szoboszlai’s deep commitment to his national side means he will try to play if possible, though he was not fully fit upon completing the fixture. Iraola recalled an October four-game international break where Liverpool lost Szoboszlai, Alexander Isak, and Cody Gakpo for a 3-0 defeat against Manchester City.
“The last thing we need now is to lose players in the international games. Last time, in the international break, we lost three very important players, so now I’m praying—it’s the last thing we need.”
said Andoni Iraola, according to Sports Illustrated and The Empire of The Kop.
Hungary enters the international window chasing promotion in the Nations League, sitting within reach of the top spot in their group ahead of matches against Georgia and group leaders Northern Ireland on November 17 in Budapest, as detailed by Sports Illustrated and The Empire of The Kop.
For Liverpool, the timing complicates squad management as the team prepares to return to Premier League action against rivals Manchester United at Anfield on Sunday, November 22, amid a congested sequence of matches stretching toward the end of December, following a 3-0 defeat against Manchester City earlier in the season.