Liverpool weighs Szoboszlai role amid injury crisis

Andoni Iraola's assessment of long-term injury recoveries

Andoni Iraola is managing the recovery timelines for several injured players. Jeremie Frimpong suffered a muscle injury during a match against Brentford last month and is expected to miss 6 consecutive matches.

Iraola described the Frimpong injury as difficult to predict. "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," Iraola said. He added that it will be difficult for Frimpong to return before the November international break.

Conor Bradley continues his recovery from surgery on his left knee following an injury sustained against Arsenal in January. Iraola noted that Bradley is "doing very well" and is approaching a return to team training.

Although initially expected to return between January and April 2027, the club included Ekitike in its Champions League squad.

Giovanni Leoni remains out following an ACL tear and additional knee damage sustained in September 2025. Giovanni Leoni was signed from Parma for approximately £26 million. Iraola explained that the injury involved significant damage beyond the ACL. Leoni is expected to return to grass work during the November international window.

While Liverpool navigates these absences, Rio Ngumoha is available for the match against Fenerbahçe following his senior call-up to England in September 2026. Fenerbahçe has been under the interim charge of Dirk Kuyt since October 28, 2026. The Turkish club will be without Nathan Aké, Marco Asensio, Jayden Oosterwolde, and Kojo Peprah Oppong for the fixture.

Champions League preparations against Fenerbahçe

Liverpool faces Fenerbahçe this Wednesday at the Şükrü Saracoğlu Stadium. The match kicks off at 18:45 CET, which corresponds to 20:45 Istanbul time.

The club currently holds third place in the Champions League table with nine points. Liverpool earned those points by winning all three of their League Phase matches against Atletico Madrid, LASK, and Villarreal. The team enters this European fixture following a 0-1 Premier League defeat to Arsenal.

The team recorded two draws and one loss across their three League Phase games this season.

Fenerbahçe left-back Archie Brown remains eligible to play in this match. His three-match disciplinary ban constitutes a domestic sanction that does not apply to UEFA competitions.

Clément Turpin has been appointed as the referee for the match between Fenerbahçe and Liverpool. Turpin previously officiated Liverpool during the team's loss to Galatasaray last season.

Iraola's management of current squad concerns

Liverpool has experienced a positive start to the season under the leadership of manager Andoni Iraola. The team recently defeated Crystal Palace 3-1 at Selhurst Park. However, the club sits nine points behind the Premier League leaders following a 1-0 loss to Arsenal.

Iraola continues to manage injury concerns that the club expects to persist over the coming weeks. The manager expressed hope that the international break will not result in additional injury issues for his squad.