Iraola lauds Wirtz impact after ‘unlucky’ start to season – and gives update on Szoboszlai

Liverpool boss Andoni Iraola says Florian Wirtz deserved his goal and assist in the 3-1 win over Crystal Palace after being unfortunate not to have made a bigger impact in the Premier League before now.

Wirtz played a key role in Liverpool’s victory, scoring his side’s second after Alexis Mac Allister had opened the scoring before Alexander Isak added a third, and Iraola believes the performance will be important for his confidence.

“Happy for him because I think he’s been very unlucky in the Premier League,” Iraola said.

“I think a couple of goals disallowed, situations where he deserved honestly to score.

“Today, to help us, the 2-0, and also he has had a very good performance. I am happy for him.”

Iraola also revealed Dominik Szoboszlai is struggling with a knee issue and admitted Liverpool will need to assess whether he is fit enough to join up with Hungary.

“Yes, Dom has… I don’t know if it’s a problem, but he definitely wasn’t 100 per cent,” Iraola said.

“Let’s see. 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.

“I think he extended a little bit the knee, it was fine, but not 100 per cent, so he has to be careful to see if he can play with the national team or not.”

Iraola added that Szoboszlai will want to report for international duty, but said a decision will depend on the assessment from medical staff.

“I know he will do everything to go because he loves to play with the national team, but he was not 100 per cent when he finished the game,” he said.

“I suppose they will have to analyse, the medical staff, and see what it is.

“I know what I want, but I also have to understand the national teams.

“I’m sure that Dom, if he is fine he will want to go, but I’m not sure if he’s going to be fine.”