Jurgen Klopp has ruled Dominik Szoboszlai out for Liverpool ’s next two games after revealing he has picked up a hamstring injury.
The Hungarian midfielder was withdrawn during the Reds’ thrilling victory against Newcastle at the weekend. Klopp revealed that Szoboszlai was set to undergo further testing after that match.
Ahead of this weekend’s FA Cup third round showdown with Premier League rivals Arsenal, the Liverpool boss has detailed that Szoboszlai has picked up a hamstring injury and will miss the game - as well as the Carabao Cup semi-final first leg against Fulham.
Speaking in his pre-match press conference, the German said: "It's an injury. Muscle, hamstring. We will have to see. Dom is very positive, not a lot of pain but no chance for Sunday. Not for then Wednesday. Then we will see. After that, hopefully, he might be back but we don't know.”
Szoboszlai, 23, has made 26 appearances for Liverpool this summer since a summer move from German side RB Leipzig. He has scored four goals and provided three assists in that time - his most recent strike coming in the 5-1 win against West Ham in the Carabao Cup.
Premier League odds and betting tipsSzoboszlai’s injury adds to Liverpool’s growing issues heading into the New Year. Fellow midfielders Thiago Alcantara and Stefan Bajcetic are ruled out, while Wataru Endo has departed Merseyside to take part in the Asia Cup.
Elsewhere, Joel Matip, Andy Robertson and Kostas Tsimikas are recovering from long-term problems, with Mo Salah also jetting off for his Africa Cup of Nations commitments with Egypt. Asked about potential rotation this weekend, Klopp refused to rule anything out.
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He added: "I think we rotated a lot in the first half of the season, we just did because we thought the boys can do it. It never happens that we don't care how we play. The main reason for the impact from the bench was that, it's massive, they all have rhythm.
“We bring in boys who can play to their best and that is what we've done. I am not sure if Arsenal is a game to rotate. I am not sure we have the opportunity to do that.
“We can line up a good team and I am sure that is what we do. If it looks like rotation I don't know. We have a few days between games, so that is long and there is no need for rotation but then we have [ Fulham ] and both are same importance, nothing in between we want to go to the final but also the next round but it's probably the most tricky draw you can get."
After their cup games against Arsenal and Fulham, Liverpool are next back in Premier League action in two weeks’ time for their showdown with Bournemouth on the south coast.