Szoboszlai admits injury frustration and struggle to adapt to Iraola's Liverpool

Dominik Szoboszlai has admitted he must start listening to his body rather than his heart after a hamstring injury derailed his start to the season under new Liverpool manager Andoni Iraola.

The Hungary international, who played 67 games for club and country last season, has found the enforced absences particularly difficult to stomach. “The worst thing is to be injured and watch the guys from the stands or TV,” Szoboszlai said. “I’m happy to be back, feeling good, feeling fit, and ready to go again.”

Szoboszlai returned to the squad as a substitute in Liverpool’s defeat to Arsenal and is targeting a starting place against Fenerbahce in the Champions League. He acknowledged, however, that his eagerness to return may have contributed to the setbacks. “I missed games against City and LASK and then I felt again very good after a couple of days off but it seemed I wasn’t ready — sometimes it is my heart and I listen to my heart and not my body.”

Beyond the physical challenges, Szoboszlai is also working to get to grips with Iraola’s tactical system since the Spaniard replaced Jürgen Klopp at Anfield in the summer. The 23-year-old says the process is ongoing but remains confident the new manager can get the best out of him.

“It depends where he puts me,” Szoboszlai said of Iraola’s positional demands. “In a 6 he might ask me different stuff, as a 10 he might ask me different stuff, as an 8. I only know before the game what I’m going to play — from there it is only one and a half hours to discuss with him the stuff he wants to do.”

Szoboszlai described the early weeks under Iraola as encouraging despite the personal frustrations, and said he expects the team’s understanding of the manager’s methods to sharpen as the season progresses. The midfielder’s ability to operate across multiple midfield roles could prove a significant asset as Iraola continues to shape his Liverpool side.