Jurgen Klopp explains Dominik Szoboszlai absence for Arsenal v Liverpool clash

The Hungarian has not made the matchday squad for Sunday’s game (Picture: Getty)

Dominik Szoboszlai has reaggravated his hamstring and will require ‘further assessment’ in the coming days, forcing him to miss Sunday’s clash between Arsenal and Liverpool.

The Hungary international missed four games with a hamstring problem, including both legs of the Carabao Cup semi-final, but made his return last weekend in the FA Cup against Norwich.

He grabbed an assist in that match and then, a few days later, he was on the scoresheet as Liverpool swatted aside Chelsea in midweek.

Although he took part in training on Friday, Szoboszlai was not seen with the rest of the squad when they travelled down to London on Saturday ahead of Sunday’s clash at the Emirates.

While other injury concerns such as Darwin Nunez and Thiago Alcantara made the squad, Szoboszlai was nowhere to be seen and Klopp has now confirmed that he is once again struggling with his hamstring issue.

Speaking to Sky Sports before kick-off, the Liverpool boss said: ‘Dom felt in the same area, or pretty much a similar area, to where he was injured before.

‘Not in the game, he was fine, and then after the game [he felt it] slightly.

Szoboszlai’s absence sounds more like a precaution (Picture: Getty)

‘We had a look at it and there was now no chance for him to be involved in this game.

‘We cannot take any risk. We have to wait for further assessment but it was clear that he cannot be involved today. That’s it, pretty much.’

Liverpool have a week’s break after Sunday’s showdown with Arsenal before hosting Burnley at Anfield on February 10, followed by an away trip to Brentford a week later.

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Asked about Nunez being on the bench, Klopp replied: ‘No, nothing to do with [tactics]. Intensity, games we have and stuff like that, how we start, how we use the full power of the boys.

‘Darwin from the bench is a good thing to have as well, so that’s just for this game, we thought it made sense.

‘Of course, he could have started, but when he comes on he can have a real impact, he can change a game. If we need that today, then we have it.’

Arsenal, meanwhile, are without Gabriel Jesus who has a knee problem, with Kai Havertz to lead the line as a false nine and Jorginho joining Martin Odegaard and Declan Rice in midfield.

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