Frimpong and Szoboszlai doubts for Liverpool ahead of Villarreal

Liverpool manager Andoni Iraola has confirmed that Jeremie Frimpong and Dominik Szoboszlai are both doubts after picking up injuries during Saturday's 2-1 Premier League win at Brentford.

Szoboszlai, returning from a two-match absence, was forced off in the first half at Gtech Community Stadium. Frimpong suffered a muscle injury just minutes after coming on as a half-time substitute.

Iraola, speaking at his pre-match press conference ahead of Liverpool's Champions League tie with Villarreal on Monday, said the two cases differ in nature. "Jeremie Frimpong is obviously a new muscle injury and it happened, I think, in the second or third minute he was playing, difficult to predict and we will have to wait until he recovers. But it's going to be difficult, I think, before the [November international] break. We will try but it's going to be difficult to have him."

On Szoboszlai, Iraola offered a more cautious but less alarming assessment. "It's not a new injury, I think it's in the same place it was probably last week. He hasn't worsened the injury but probably we have to be a little bit more patient until he recovers fully."

The Liverpool head coach added that Szoboszlai's decision to play at Brentford despite carrying the injury reflected well on the Hungarian midfielder. "I appreciate the effort he did the other day, to be available, to want to contribute in a very difficult game — one of the most physical teams, Brentford. And to put himself in front and to want to play speaks very well about him, yes."