Why is Dominik Szoboszlai not playing for Liverpool vs Man City?
The Premier League's "guilty of all charges" independent commission verdict against Manchester City makes it feel as though no other club has had a fair fight against the Sky Blues. Well, Kopites may feel that is the case in a microcosm ahead of Sunday's huge clash at Anfield.
Everyone already knew that Alexander Isak and Cody Gakpo would miss out, after sustaining injuries on international duty. Thus, Lewis Koumas is leading the line, with Víctor Muñoz and Bradley Barcola completing a makeshift attacking trio; Rio Ngumoha and fit again Federico Chiesa left in reserve.
What did come out of left field was the absence of Dominik Szoboszlai. Earlier in the day, a video surfaced online that noted neither the Hungarian nor Alexis Mac Allister had been spotted at the team's pre-match hotel. The Argentine is in the lineup, despite traveling back from Buenos Aires this week, but Szoboszlai's name was noteworthy by its omission from Andoni Iraola's lineup.
Why Dominik Szoboszlai is not playing vs Manchester City
As confirmed by James Pearch of the Athletic, Szoboszlai has been "ruled out today due to a hamstring problem". The 25 year old did pick up a knock during Hungary's third match of the international break, replaced with ten minutes remaining against Georgia in Budapest last Friday.
Nevertheless, he then started three days later as the Magyars beat Ukraine 2-1 at Štadión Antona Malatinského on Monday. Szoboszlai was taken off three minutes from time, but this was merely Marco Rossi not risking him picking up a yellow card suspension, rather than any injury concern.
Thus, it is not yet clear when and how Szoboszlai suffered this hamstring problem, nor the severity of the issue.
How big a loss is Dominik Szoboszlai vs Manchester City?
While Ryan Gravenberch, Mac Allister and Florian Wirtz is an expensively assembled, impressive midfield trio, there is no doubt that Szoboszlai is a massive loss. He has already scored three goals this season, including nervelessly converting a 99th minute spot-kick at St James' Park, as well as this EFL Cup stunner against Tottenham.
Even as Arne Slot's side struggled throughout last season, the Hungarian was one of the Reds' most consistent performers, irrespective of whether he was deployed in his usual midfield role or when asking to do a job at right-back. Given how strong Man City's midfield is, featuring Elliot Anderson, Enzo Fernández and Rayan Cherki, the Reds' chances of victory have surely significantly diminished.
