Liverpool’s Frimpong and Szoboszlai doubts deepen before Villarreal clash

Liverpool may be without Jeremie Frimpong and Dominik Szoboszlai for Tuesday’s Champions League match against Villarreal after both players suffered setbacks in Saturday’s 2-1 Premier League win over Brentford.

Head coach Andoni Iraola said Frimpong has sustained another muscle injury and is expected to miss further matches. The right-back has found it difficult to maintain his fitness since joining Liverpool from Bayer Leverkusen last year.

“Frimpong has a new muscle injury. Difficult to predict. We will have to wait until he recovers, but it is going to be difficult before the international break,” Iraola said on Monday.

The Netherlands international could therefore miss the November 9-17 international break, extending a challenging spell as he continues to try to establish himself at Liverpool.

Szoboszlai’s hamstring problem appears less serious, although Liverpool will not rush the Hungary captain back into action. Iraola said the midfielder had experienced a recurrence of an existing injury, rather than suffering a new one.

“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 explained.

“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 played a significant role for Liverpool this season, scoring three goals in eight appearances in all competitions. His eventual return will be important as the club faces a demanding run of fixtures.

Liverpool’s injury list already includes forward Hugo Ekitike, right-back Conor Bradley and centre-back Giovanni Leoni, leaving the club with further selection issues ahead of Villarreal’s visit to Anfield.

The Reds have made a perfect start to their Champions League campaign, winning their first two matches to collect six points. They will attempt to preserve that record despite the latest injuries.

Liverpool are fifth in the Premier League, with 12 points from seven matches, and will go into the European fixture looking to build on their victory against Brentford.