LIVERPOOL – Liverpool must be patient with midfielder Dominik Szoboszlai’s recovery from a hamstring injury, while right-back Jeremie Frimpong is facing a spell on the sidelines after suffering a fresh muscle problem, head coach Andoni Iraola said on Oct 19.

The pair were forced off during Liverpool’s 2-1 Premier League win at Brentford on Oct 17.

“Frimpong has a new muscle injury... Difficult to predict. We will have to wait until he recovers, but it is going to be difficult before the (Nov 9-17 international) break... ,” Iraola said ahead of Liverpool’s Champions League match against Villarreal at Anfield on Oct 20.

He said it will be a “special” experience to face the La Liga side managed by long-time friend Inigo Perez.

The two Spaniards first knew each other as young players making their way at Athletic Bilbao before Iraola recruited Perez as his assistant coach when in charge of Madrid club Rayo Vallecano.

Iraola said: “We know each other since the academy years in Athletic Club, we played with each other in the first team. As soon as he retired, I was quick enough to grab him to help as an assistant. We’ve been through a lot of things together.

“It is a privilege for me to face him in a Champions League game. He knows me very well, he knows everything. It is a team that I follow, I know the players and it is going to be a little bit strange but in a good way.”

But he acknowledged that the game had put a temporary restriction on their friendship.

He said: “We normally call time to talk about La Liga, the Premier League, about football, other stuff, about our families. But now when the game gets closer, we haven’t been in touch.”

Frimpong’s setback comes after a difficult spell since moving from Bayer Leverkusen in 2025, with the 25-year-old Dutch international struggling for fitness and form.

Szoboszlai’s situation is less concerning, however, with the Hungary captain suffering a recurrence of the issue that sidelined him for Liverpool’s 3-0 home defeat by Manchester City and their 6-3 Champions League win at LASK.

“Szoboszlai is different, it's not a new injury. I think it is in the same place it was in the past week. It hasn’t worsened. We probably have to be a bit patient until he recovers fully, but it is not like he has to wait a long time to come back,” Iraola said.

The 25-year-old has been a mainstay for Liverpool, scoring three goals in eight games in all competitions this season.

Iraola is already contending with a number of long-term absentees, including forward Hugo Ekitike, right-back Conor Bradley and centre-back Giovanni Leoni.

Liverpool are fifth in the Premier League with 12 points from seven matches and host Villarreal, looking to build on a perfect start to their Champions League campaign, having taken six points from their opening two games.

Iraola said he tried to bring Perez to Bournemouth when he was head coach, only for his friend to be denied a work permit by the British authorities.

“We tried to take him to England, he was here but he couldn’t work,” said Iraola. “He didn’t receive the work permit. We tried to do everything to convince the panel. I complained in the moment because I came with just two guys, but it has worked well for him also.

“Now he is coaching in the Champions League with Villarreal and I am so, so happy for him.” REUTERS, AFP