Liverpool fans were left wondering why Dominik Szoboszlai was absent from the team sheet for their final game against Manchester United in the US. However, they have been reassured that there is no cause for concern.
Szoboszlai had been a key player during the first two stops of Liverpool’s US tour, accumulating 135 minutes of game time and impressing in training sessions. Therefore, it was expected that he would feature against United. However, he was left out of the 22-man squad.
Arne Slot, Liverpool’s manager, explained before the match that Szoboszlai’s omission was due to fatigue and the team’s desire to avoid any risks. He added that the squad would be flying back to Liverpool that night and all the other players would be arriving on Tuesday. Therefore, they wanted to ensure that all players were available and fit for the upcoming season, which is less than two weeks away.
Liverpool’s cautious approach towards Szoboszlai’s fitness is understandable considering his importance to the team. Last season, he played a total of 3,841 minutes across 58 games, making him one of the most utilized players in the squad. Liverpool cannot afford to have him injured or fatigued at the start of the new season.
Following the game against United, the squad will return to Merseyside, where the remaining senior players will join them. They will then prepare for two final friendlies. The first will be against Sevilla at a packed Anfield on Sunday, August 11, followed by a match against Las Palmas just a few hours later.
Liverpool will need the full depth of their squad for these friendlies, and Szoboszlai is expected to be involved. His absence against United was simply a result of him being rested. In his place, Ryan Gravenberch took his spot in the lineup after returning to training earlier in the week.
Overall, Liverpool fans can rest assured that Szoboszlai’s absence from the team sheet against Manchester United was merely a precautionary measure to protect his fitness for the upcoming season. With his impressive playing time last season, he will undoubtedly play a crucial role for Liverpool, and the team is taking no risks with his well-being.