Liverpool have been handed a fresh injury concern on the eve of their Champions League clash with Villarreal, with Victor Munoz a major doubt after missing training on Monday — potentially leaving Andoni Iraola without eight players at Anfield tonight.
The £34m summer signing from Osasuna was the most notable absentee from Liverpool's open session at the AXA Training Centre, just two days after scoring the equaliser in Saturday's 2-1 Premier League win at Brentford. According to Sports Mole, Munoz required treatment twice during that game, was later replaced by Joe Gomez and was spotted wearing a knee brace afterwards, sparking the fears that his absence from training has now deepened.
A Brentford win that cost Liverpool dearly
Saturday's comeback victory is turning into an expensive one. Dominik Szoboszlai aggravated the hamstring problem that had already sidelined him, while Jeremie Frimpong suffered a new muscle injury minutes after coming on as a substitute. The full picture set out by This Is Anfield underlines the scale of Iraola's problem: Frimpong is not expected back until after the November international break, Szoboszlai could miss at least the next two games, and Conor Bradley, Giovanni Leoni and Hugo Ekitike all remain in rehabilitation.
On top of the five injured players, Wataru Endo and Federico Chiesa are unavailable because both were left off Liverpool's Champions League squad list. Add Munoz as a doubt and Iraola could be missing eight players for the visit of a Villarreal side sitting 12th in La Liga — and coached by Inigo Perez, Iraola's former assistant at Rayo Vallecano.
Iraola was honest about Szoboszlai's situation on Monday, saying the Hungarian has not worsened the injury but that Liverpool have to be more patient until he recovers fully. He had earlier praised Munoz's hunger and versatility, noting the Spaniard has already played on the right, on the left and even at right-back since arriving — which is exactly why losing him as well would hurt.
Who steps in at Anfield?
There is at least some relief in attack. Alexander Isak and Cody Gakpo both came through their returns at Brentford unscathed and were in training on Monday, while Bradley Barcola, Rio Ngumoha and Lewis Koumas give Iraola further options out wide if Munoz does not make it. Ryan Gravenberch is also available again after suspension.
The Champions League's larger benches mean academy players are in line to fill the gaps: striker Jayden Danns, midfielder Michael Laffey, James McConnell and left-back Luke Chambers all trained with the first team on Monday evening. Iraola has already warned that his selection will surprise people, saying he is thinking of naming the best starting XI he can against Villarreal, but that it may not be the one supporters expect because some players are simply not fresh enough.
So what does it mean?
Liverpool have won both of their opening league-phase matches and a third straight win tonight would put them in a commanding position in the table. But this is now a squad-depth test as much as a football match: with Frimpong facing up to six games out and Szoboszlai's hamstring needing careful management, Iraola cannot afford another name on that list. How he rotates tonight — and whether Munoz is risked at all — will tell us how seriously Liverpool are feeling the strain of a congested autumn.
Beyond the Final Whistle: Brentford away was supposed to be the night Liverpool's season clicked into gear — instead it may be remembered as the night their injury list swallowed their Champions League plans. Munoz is the symbol of it: a £34m signing who finally delivered at the weekend and may not even make the bench 72 hours later. Iraola's honesty about patience and freshness is refreshing, but patience does not win points in October. If Liverpool get through tonight with a win and no new casualties, it will be one of their best results of the season — whatever the scoreline.
Can Liverpool keep their perfect Champions League record without Munoz, Szoboszlai and Frimpong — or will Villarreal take advantage at Anfield? Let us know what you think in the comments.
