Liverpool were dealt another blow on the eve of their Premier League clash with Manchester City as Dominik Szoboszlai wasn’t named in the matchday squad.
Liverpool manager Andoni Iraola did not name Szoboszlai as an injury doubt during Friday’s press conference but concerns over his fitness were raised when he was not spotted at the team’s hotel on Sunday morning.
His absence is due to a hamstring injury which puts him on the sidelines alongside Alexander Isak, Cody Gakpo and Hugo Ekititke and leaves Liverpool short of six key players.
Such is the nature of their injury-hit squad that 21-year-old Lewis Koumas makes his first start for the Reds and will lead the line against City who have won each of their five league matches this season.
Before kick off, Iraola spoke to Sky Sports and explained why Szoboszlai was not included in the squad.
“He’s another one coming from the international games, he came with an overload and felt a tight hamstring. He’s tried, somehow pushing through training but he was not feeling 100% and we will have to wait for more news.”
Of Liverpool’s growing injury list, Iraola said on Friday: "Cody [Gakpo] has an ankle injury. He has had some before in his career and it's a matter of him dealing with the pain because when you twist your ankle... it was a really bad tackle, I think. He is doing things individually but [he is] not ready for Sunday.
"And Alex [Isak] has a thigh injury. It's a small injury but it's a muscle injury. The same [as Gakpo], whenever he feels ready. They both don't look like long term – we will be analysing day to day. But they are not going to arrive on Sunday."
Iraola was asked whether Koumas would start the game but he remained coy and explained that there is enough depth in Liverpool’s squad for options.
He added: "Even before, we don't have Hugo Ekitike, who is another very good striker that I'm looking forward to having available also.
"We don't have Hugo, we don't have Alex. We will maybe recover Fede Chiesa but he hasn't played any minutes. He is recovering from an injury but he has been doing a good job in the international break, he has been training with the small group we had.
"A full No.9, it's true that we probably only have [Lewis] Koumas right now, but we have some other options. We have some wingers that have played up front in other teams.
"I think we will put an XI with a level enough to compete for that game."