Dominik Szoboszlai is 'set to be out for four weeks due to recurrence of hamstring injury' - ruling him out of Liverpool's Carabao Cup final against Chelsea

   

Dominik Szoboszlai could miss the Carabao Cup final against Chelsea after reportedly being sidelined for almost a month with a recurrence of his hamstring injury. 

The Hungarian midfielder was ruled out of action for most of January with a hamstring issue but returned to playing at the end of the month.

Now a report by Index, a website in his homeland, claims he has suffered from a recurrence of the same problem in a major seback for Jurgen Klopp

The report claims that it is 'worth counting on a recovery time of about three to four weeks'. 

Szoboszlai made a good impact on his return to the squad, bagging an assist against Norwich and scoring against Chelsea.   

Dominik Szoboszlai has been ruled out for four weeks with another hamstring problem, according to reports in Hungary

Dominik Szoboszlai has been ruled out for four weeks with another hamstring problem, according to reports in Hungary 

That would see Szoboszlai miss the Carabao Cup final against Chelsea, who he scored against last week 

That would see Szoboszlai miss the Carabao Cup final against Chelsea, who he scored against last week

However, he was not in the squad that lost 3-1 to Arsenal on Sunday

Jurgen Klopp: 'Doma felt pain in the same or at least very close part of his thigh as where his injury was before.

'During the match [against Chelsea] he was fine, but afterwards he felt a bit, so we looked at him and unfortunately it became clear to us that he has no chance to play in today's match.'

He added: 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.' 

Due to a light January schedule, the 23-year-old only missed four games in January, three of which were in domestic cup competitions. 

Liverpool navigated that period seamlessly, beating Bournemouth 4-0 in the Premier League, Arsenal 2-0 in the FA Cup, and Fulham 3-2 on aggregate in the Carabao Cup semi-finals. 

However, there is no doubt that Klopp will miss him if he is indeed ruled out.

Szoboszlai has managed five goals and four assists since his £60m summer signing from RB Leipzig and is popular with fans for his marauding runs through midfield. 

Jurgen Klopp explained after the loss to Arsenal that he had 'no chance to play' due to 'pain in the same or at least very close part of his thigh' as before

Jurgen Klopp explained after the loss to Arsenal that he had 'no chance to play' due to 'pain in the same or at least very close part of his thigh' as before

Liverpool play six games in the next four weeks and, just beyond that, a clash with Manchester City awaits

Liverpool play six games in the next four weeks and, just beyond that, a clash with Manchester City awaits

Index claims that the blow is milder than his previous hamstring injury. 

All the same, if he is absent for four weeks, he could miss around six matches. 

The reds take on Burnley, Brentford, Luton, Chelsea, Watford or Southampton (in the FA Cup) and Nottingham Forest before March 2.

A potentially title-deciding clash with Manchester City awaits on March 10 and Liverpool fans will be desperate to see him back and gaining fitness before then. 

Szoboszlai has played the eighth-most minutes out of the entire squad in all competitions this campaign. 

A total of 1,944 minutes makes him the highest-ranked midfielder in terms of game time. 

If the reports are accurate, some might hope Szoboszlai coule at least send a cardboard cut-out in his place. 

Supporters were left baffled on Monday when it emerged that Szoboszlai keeps a life-sized cut-out of himself in his living room. 

Fans were bemused by a life-sized cardboard cutout of Dominik Szoboszlai in his home - but that won't be able to play in his place

Fans were bemused by a life-sized cardboard cutout of Dominik Szoboszlai in his home - but that won't be able to play in his place 

Szoboszlai has quickly become a star player since joining Liverpool for £60m in the summer

Szoboszlai has quickly become a star player since joining Liverpool for £60m in the summer

After getting a new tattoo inked on his chest, Szoboszlai posed in what seemed to be his living room with the aforementioned tattoo artist, while holding up a Liverpool shirt with his name and number on the back.

Eagle-eyed supporters noticed that in one of the pictures behind the Hungarian, there was a cardboard replica of Liverpool's number eight - admittedly a a striking ornament to have in one's home.