Why Szoboszlai is missing vs Sunderland and when Liverpool star will return

The Hungary captain was missing from the Liverpool starting line-up at the Stadium of Light, and sits out just his second Premier League game of the season

LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND - FEBRUARY 08: Dominik Szoboszlai of Liverpool during the Premier League match between Liverpool and Manchester City at Anfield on February 08, 2026 in Liverpool, England. (Photo by Carl Recine/Getty Images)

Dominik Szoboszlai was missing from Liverpool's starting line-up against Sunderland following the red card he received against Manchester City last week.

The 25-year-old was somewhat controversially dismissed in injury-time of Sunday's 2-1 loss at Anfield after referee Craig Pawson felt his foul on Erling Haaland was the denial of a goalscoring opportunity. That's despite the fact City did score from the incident, with Rayan Cherki's long-range effort trickling over the line.

However, by the letter of the law, Szoboszlai had to be sent off, and he automatically incurred a one-match suspension, that resulted in him being ineligible to face Sunderland.

It is just the second league match Szoboszlai has missed this season, with the former RB Leipzig man also suspended for the home game against Wolverhampton Wanderers in December after picking up five yellow cards.

Szoboszlai has established himself as one of Arne Slot's most reliable players this season, in terms both performance and versatility.

The midfielder has routinely operated at right-back this season, as was the case against City, and in his absence at the Stadium of Light, Wataru Endo has been drafted into the line-up. The Japan international is starting just his second-ever Premier League under Slot.

But Szoboszlai may return at right-back against Brighton & Hove Albion on Saturday, with the Liverpool star suspended for just one game.

In addition to Szoboszlai, Liverpool is also without Jeremie Frimpong, Conor Bradley Giovanni Leoni and Alexander Isak for the midweek trip to Sunderland, with the quartet ruled out through injury.

The Reds made two changes for the trip to Sunderland, with Endo coming in to replace Szoboszlai, while Andy Robertson was something of a shock selection at left-back coming in at left-back in place of Milos Kerkez.

"I'm disappointed Szoboszlai is not playing, he has been Liverpool's best player this season, whatever position and whatever role he has been asked to play," said Steven Gerrard on TNT Sports duty.

"That will be a huge loss, but Endo will come in and do a steady job. I think he has always done that for Liverpool.

"Robertson will bring valuable experience because I think they will be under pressure at times tonight. The rest is very much the same; I think that is his trusted team and shape, outside of injury."