Liverpool are set to be without Jeremie Frimpong until after the November international break following a fresh muscle injury, while Dominik Szoboszlai faces a longer period of careful management as he recovers from a recurring hamstring problem.
Both players were forced off during Saturday’s 2-1 Premier League victory over Brentford, creating further selection concerns for Liverpool ahead of Tuesday’s Champions League meeting with Villarreal at Anfield.
Frimpong’s latest setback is particularly frustrating after an interrupted spell following his move from Bayer Leverkusen last year. The Netherlands international’s recovery timeline remains uncertain, with Liverpool expecting him to miss several weeks.
“Frimpong has a new muscle injury,” head coach Andoni Iraola said on Monday. “Difficult to predict. We will have to wait until he recovers, but it is going to be difficult before the November 9-17 international break.”
Szoboszlai’s situation is more encouraging, although Liverpool are reluctant to rush the Hungary captain back before he has fully recovered. The midfielder has experienced a recurrence of the problem that previously ruled him out of matches against Manchester City and LASK.
“Szoboszlai is different, it’s not a new injury. I think it is in the same place it was in the past week. It hasn’t worsened,” Iraola said.
“We probably have to be a bit patient until he recovers fully, but it is not like he has to wait a long time to come back.”
Szoboszlai has scored three goals in eight appearances across all competitions this season, making his availability important as Liverpool navigate a demanding run of fixtures.
The two injuries add to the club’s existing absentees, including forward Hugo Ekitike, right-back Conor Bradley and centre-back Giovanni Leoni.
Liverpool will nevertheless approach the Villarreal fixture encouraged by their perfect start to the Champions League campaign, having collected six points from their opening two matches.
They sit fifth in the Premier League with 12 points from seven games, and maintaining momentum across both competitions will be a priority.
While Frimpong’s return remains uncertain, Szoboszlai could be back sooner if his recovery progresses without further complications.
