Dominik Szoboszlai’s versatility is both a blessing and a curse.
The 25-year-old is now into his fourth season with Liverpool following his £60million move from RB Leipzig. And he’s yet to really carve out a set position for the Reds.
During his debut campaign under Jurgen Klopp, he was the right-side of a midfield three. In Arne Slot’s first season in charge, the Hungarian was moved into an attacking midfield role, tasked with doing the running for Mo Salah and playing a key part in the team’s surprise title win.
Last season, he was a bit of a jack of all trades, master of none type for the team. Playing centre-midfield, right-back, right-wing, attacking midfield and even on the left side of the attack as Slot looked to salvage a season to forget.
After signing a new deal in the summer, the feeling was that Szoboszlai would be given a set role under new manager Andoni Iraola. The Hungarian has recently revealed that Iraola had made it clear the Hungarian wouldn’t be used as a full-back.
Yet just five games into the season, Szoboszlai’s role is a big talking point.
In this article, we’ll cover:
The Dominik Szoboszlai conundrum
Szoboszlai started the season alongside Ryan Gravenberch in a new-look double pivot and Liverpool conceded four goals in two games. Since Alexis Mac Allister returned to the starting XI, the Reds have looked a little more robust defensively. Although, Szoboszlai was criticised for his showing in the 0-0 draw with Fulham recently after winning just one of his 10 duels on the day.
“Against Fulham I was a No.8, I have been No.2 as well, I have been No.6, No.8, No.10, No.7 also,” he said.
Asked if he has a preferred position, Szoboszlai added: “No, I just want to be on the pitch. Maybe I am not at the best in the No.6 position because I win one of the 10 duels, maybe next the game I am going to win eight out of 10, so I am then a good No.6? So it’s always balance.”
Iraola is likely persisting with Szoboszlai there in the hope he matures a little and starts filling in when his partner pushes up. It helps that he’s high energy and a work horse as it’s exactly what an Iraola double pivot requires. However, it does feel as though he’s in there because he’s better than the alternatives rather than being there on merit. At least right now.
And that’s the conundrum. Since the start of last season, he’s been put in positions because he’s the lesser evil rather than being the right fit.
This is likely why there’s now people wondering whether he should displace Florian Wirtz to play as the attacking midfielder once again.
A selection headache
Right now, Szoboszlai appears to be a solution to three of Liverpool’s alleged problems.
With Jeremie Frimpong struggling at right-back and Iraola having to use Ronald Araujo there, some feel as though Szobozlai could play as the full-back in the short-term. It’d leave the Reds thin in midfield but with Gravenberch, Trey Nyoni and James McConnell available, Iraola has options.
Next up, there’s a case for him to replace Wirtz as the team’s No10. The German is taking a lot of flack right now and many pundits and fans are wondering whether Szoboszlai could return to his former role. It’d allow Iraola to field the three in the middle that played such a pivotal part in Slot’s title success.
And then there’s the right-wing issue. Liverpool tried and failed to add a right-sided attacker to their ranks this summer to replace the departed Salah. After struggling to find someone, Liverpool settled on using players already within the squad in that role. So far this season, we’ve seen Bradley Barcola, Cody Gakpo, Victor Munoz and Rio Ngumoha there. The best of the bunch has been Gakpo, but with the Dutchman suffering an ankle injury during the international break, the Reds are struggling for depth there.
Perhaps Szoboszlai, who played that role for RB Leipzig previously, could fill that void.
There are many options for Iraola and he can’t really afford to get it wrong.
What actually is Szoboszlai’s best position for Liverpool.
This a question that simply cannot be answered.
Former Liverpool defender Jamie Carragher has previously expressed his opinion that Szoboszlai wasn’t good enough to be an attacking midfielder for the Reds.
Yet now people want him back in that role.
Right-back limits him. Centre-midfield doesn’t do him any favours right now, as it exposes his weaknesses. In a right-wing role, he’s untried and untested under Iraola. He remains a jack of all trades type, but if Liverpool are to take the next step, they probably need to figure out what he is, where he fits and how they can accommodate him to get the best out of him.