Andoni Iraola says Dominik Szoboszlai will miss Liverpool’s Premier League meeting with Brighton at Anfield on Sunday, while Rio Ngumoha’s possible inclusion remains undecided.
The fixture is part of matchweek eight. Liverpool are fifth with 12 points, nine behind leaders Manchester City, who have a perfect record. Brighton sit third on 16 points.
Ngumoha created two goals in Liverpool’s thrilling 4-3 Champions League victory over Villarreal, but Iraola has not decided whether the teenager will start against Brighton.
“It is not only about Rio, but everyone,” Iraola said, as reported by Sky Sports. “It depends on how we feel they are physically. We make a lot of changes because we play every three or four days, so sometimes players feel tired or there is a greater risk.
“Then we decide to rest some players or bring in fresh legs. This approach will continue against Brighton, against Chelsea and so on, because the games do not stop.
“I am happy that we are making some changes and giving players rest, and they are responding well.”
Iraola said Ngumoha finished the Villarreal match feeling tired, but that was not necessarily a concern.
“I want all the players to finish every game feeling tired because that means they have given everything,” he said. “But in the attacking positions, I usually replace all of them and they do not finish the game.”
The Liverpool manager expects a demanding contest against a Brighton side he considers strong in every area.
“They are performing amazingly and deserve all the praise they are receiving,” Iraola said. “They are a very well-coached team, and this is their third season with Fabian Hurzeler. They are very good in all phases of the game.
“Without the ball, I consider them one of the best teams, and with the ball they have a lot of quality. We have to be at our best to beat them because they are confident.
“At the same time, I see my team in a good position too. Both teams will try to control the game. We will try to press and win the duels, and that will be a big challenge.”
Liverpool have yet to win a Premier League match at Anfield this season, but Iraola said collecting points mattered more than where the games were played.
“I want to win matches whether we are at home or away,” he said. “We need points from wherever we can get them.”
He added that Liverpool’s other three home fixtures had been high-level games against Villarreal, Atletico de Madrid and Tottenham, saying they had won them and performed well at home. Liverpool will also play their next two matches at Anfield, and Iraola said he wanted victories in both, although he would have said the same if they were away fixtures.
Iraola also praised Alexis Mac Allister, describing him as “one of the other leaders we have”. He highlighted the midfielder’s experience and major honours with club and country, saying Mac Allister had become consistently effective after arriving alongside Victor Munoz.
Bradley Barcola trained normally and has no issue beyond managing his physical workload. Munoz remains doubtful after suffering a first-half knock against Brentford, while Szoboszlai has not yet trained with the group and will miss the weekend, although he is expected to return soon.
