Florian Wirtz’s arrival for a then club-record £116million was supposed to bring an end to Dominik Szoboszlai’s time as a starter for Liverpool.
That was the narrative heading into the new season anyway. According to reports, the new-look attack was going to be centred around the German playmaker, replacing Szoboszlai as the No.10 in Arne Slot’s 4-2-3-1.
Szoboszlai’s high energy was key to Liverpool’s success last term. But the general consensus was that he was going to be relegated to a bench role. After all, he wasn’t going to leapfrog either of Ryan Gravenberch or Alexis Mac Allister for a place in the double pivot. And it was incomprehensible that he’d get in ahead of the £116m signing.
Yet here we are in November and Szoboszlai isn’t just Liverpool’s best midfielder, there’s an argument that he’s the best midfielder in the world right now. The Hungary skipper is in the form of his career. What makes this even more impressive is the fact he’s been utilised in a number of roles this term. No matter where he plays, he’s the best player on the pitch.
In this article, we’ll cover:
Szoboszlai facilitates Salah and Wirtz
Szoboszlai was the standout performer as Liverpool claimed a 1-0 win over Real Madrid in the Champions League. On a pitch containing the likes of Federico Valverde, Eduardo Camavinga, Aurelien Tchouameni and Jude Bellingham, no less.
The 25-year-old had the highest Expected Assists total in the match. He carved out three chances and assisted in the winner. On top of that, he was the facilitator for Wirtz on the left and Mohamed Salah on the right.
Deployed centrally, Szoboszlai would look to get the ball to the two star attackers whenever the opportunity presented itself.
The outcome? Wirtz had his best game for Liverpool, creating the most chances (five) and completing 100% of his attempted take-ons. Salah, meanwhile, created two chances and attempted 10 take-ons with a 50% success rate.
Szoboszlai’s showing arrived just days after he put in a monstrous showing against Aston Villa. Restored to the attacking midfield position he exclusively owned last term, the Hungarian coached Hugo Ekitike throughout the match as the Premier League champions went with an aggressive press. Szoboszlai created three chances, had three shots and completed 93% of the 58 passes he attempted.
It’s no coincidence that the Reds look back to normal now that Szoboszlai is once again a central figure.
Overcoming criticism
Szoboszlai has been used as a utility player this season. He’s filled in at right-back as well as being used in his favourite position, in the double pivot. And while he’s excelled in both roles, starring in wins over Arsenal and Newcastle United at full-back and running the show in the middle third as part of a midfield two, Liverpool look better when he’s front and centre of their press.
Last season, some claimed Szoboszlai wasn’t good enough to be a key starter, despite Liverpool coasting to the title. They used the fact Slot mentioned his lack of output earlier in the campaign as a stick to beat him with.
Speaking in September 2024, the Dutchman said: “He has been outstanding in his pressing game. Something that we have to work on with him is scoring goals and creating chances. His numbers need to go up but I am really happy with him and I’m sure his numbers will go up.
“Last season he scored three [in the league] if I remember correctly and for an attacking midfielder at Liverpool his numbers need to go up. But I’m really happy with the way he’s done until now and I’m 100 percent sure that if he plays in a team with so much quality around him, with the quality he has he will in the end score more goals for us as well.”
Szoboszlai finished the season with six goals in the Premier League. He underperformed his Expected Goals total (7.34) and a big reason for this as his poor finishing. The Hungarian had an xG on Target total of just 3.55. In other words, his shot selection devalued his opportunities. He wasn’t a reliable finisher.
That’s why Wirtz, a player with back-to-back 10-goal hauls in the Bundesliga, was signed.
Szoboszlai justifies Jurgen Klopp
With every passing week though, it becomes more and more apparent that Jurgen Klopp wasn’t wrong when he said the best playmaker in world football is gegenpressing. When the press is off, Liverpool look awful. When the press is on it, which it has been against Aston Villa and Real Madrid, the Reds, once again, look dangerous. And Szoboszlai is key to that.
On Szoboszlai’s form this season, it’s hard to look past him as the best midfielder in the world.
He does everything you want your midfielder to be doing. He gets on the ball, he dictates play, he creates, he covers for teammates and he never, ever, stops running.
Szoboszlai is the blueprint for a modern day midfielder. And he’s carrying this Liverpool team in a way that isn’t too dissimilar to what Steven Gerrard used to do while patrolling the middle third in an adidas kit with the No.8 on his back.