Andoni Iraola bemoans hectic Liverpool schedule as injured pair face 'some time' out

But the occasion was marred when Szoboszlai, returning from a hamstring injury, was forced off after just half an hour. Frimpong, who was introduced at half-time, lasted seven minutes before he too picked up a muscle problem.

Both injuries come amid a packed match schedule. Starting with last weekend’s loss to Manchester City, the Reds are now in the midst of a run of four matches in just ten days.

Speaking at full-time, Iraola confirmed he expected Frimpong and Szoboszlai to be out injured for “some time”.

Of Frimpong, he elaborated: “He finished cramping the other day in the Champions League so we knew he wouldn't start the game. We were playing against ten and I thought he was going to give us more going forwards, but he felt straight away something in the muscle.”

Double blow: Dominik Szoboszlai and Jeremie Frimpong were both forced off with muscle injuries at the Gtech

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Szoboszlai missed Liverpool’s last two matches with a hamstring injury but returned to the starting lineup in Brentford. Iraola acknowledged, however, he had been rushed back, due in part to Ryan Gravenberch’s suspension.

“He has tried,” Iraola went on. “He has trained the last days, but we didn't know the minutes he'd have. It's not another injury, he's still not healed.”

On the cause of the injuries, Iraola left nothing up to interpretation, plainly pointing the finger at the Reds' packed calendar.

Speaking on Isak’s fitness troubles ahead of this match, Iraola said: “I am grateful for everything he has done to be available. We are in a delicate situation with some of the players.

“We lost Dom (Szoboszlai) and Jeremie (Frimpong) today, also coming from the red card with Ryan (Gravenberch), that is why we decide to do Dom straight away.

“The schedule we have, especially this run of four games in ten days with two away, is very very demanding.

“It is good in the sense that today we (could use) Alex (Isak) and for the next one we will (have) Cody (Gakpo), but we lost Dom and Jeremie Frimpong.

“So we can see that we will need all the squad, everyone to be available, and now we have to rest again, because in two days we have another big game against Villarreal.”