The folks in Liverpool’s commercial team devoted a fair portion of last season chasing after Dominik Szoboszlai.
As the club’s player of the month more often than not, the Hungarian was obliged to fulfil a swathe of sponsorship duties and, like for many defenders last season, tying down Szoboszlai was not always easy. But he always completed these extracurricular activities, and was rewarded with a bumper new contract.
The midfielder was the standard-setter in pre-season and made vice-captain, with an eye on becoming the next man to wear the armband permanently when Virgil van Dijk eventually leaves. Szoboszlai’s role as protagonist continued in Andoni Iraola’s first competitive match with a last-gasp thunderous strike at Newcastle. Everything at Liverpool, it seemed, revolved around this handsome, chiseled star with a swagger.
Fast forward two months, however, and that’s no longer the case. Szoboszlai has gone from first name on the teamsheet to having to fight for a starting spot. For some fans, he has become the scapegoat.
That seems wholly unfair but they point to the fact his half an hour from the bench against Arsenal coincided with Liverpool ceding control, balance and threat. Before that, Szoboszlai had missed four-and-a-half games – he went off injured early in a win at Brentford – and the Reds won all of them.
So, are Liverpool really better without the Hungarian? Let’s analyse both sides of the argument.
Would Andoni Iraola (right) really be better off without Dominik Szoboszlai (right)?
FOR: Drop him, he doesn’t fit Iraola’s system
The case against Szoboszlai revolves around balance, control and space.
Is it a coincidence that Florian Wirtz’s best run in a Liverpool shirt came in the last month, when the German had two midfielders behind him who were happy to do the defensive dirty work?
With both Szoboszlai and Wirtz in the side, it feels like the pair get in each other’s way and try to occupy the same positions, and Liverpool in turn are vulnerable to the counter-attack.
Alexis Mac Allister is enjoying his best form in well over a year and likes to arrive late into the box, but he cannot do this with Szoboszlai next to him as it leaves his team too exposed going the other way.
Young Trey Nyoni is a classy midfielder who thrives at dropping deep to start attacks and bait opposition presses. The 19-year-old is happy to sit back and allow those in front of him to thrive, such as Mac Allister playing a box-to-box role.
When Nyoni went off for Szoboszlai against Arsenal, Iraola’s side lost this balance and their chances of getting back into the game dwindled.
When Trey Nyoni went off for Szoboszlai against Arsenal, Iraola’s side lost this balance and their chances of getting back into the game dwindled
AGAINST: No, don’t be so stupid!
Szoboszlai is arrogant but has every right to be.
On his day, he is one of the best midfielders in Europe. A goal threat with one of the fiercest long shots in the game, with dead-ball precision, he is every bit the player Liverpool thought they were buying from RB Leipzig in 2023.
The midfielder has an engine akin to Declan Rice and is tireless in his work rate.
Surely, any team would want him and he is so talented that managers should build around him. As shown last term, he can win matches on his own. Despite his recent lay-off, he is barely injured and is a standard-bearer on the training pitch.
Iraola’s system is a 4-2-3-1 on paper but the Basque wants a bit of everything from his midfield: one No6, one No8 and one No10. Szoboszlai can play each of those roles. He has a tattoo of a Steven Gerrard quote and is the closest player to the former skipper that Anfield has seen since.
Internally, Liverpool believe Szoboszlai’s best years are ahead of him. In signing him up to a five-year deal at the end of last season – a process led by former sporting director Richard Hughes with the player’s agent Matyas Esterhazy – the Reds hierarchy were glad to stave off any future approaches from the likes of Real Madrid.
On his day, he is one of the best midfielders in Europe. Surely, any team would want him and he is so talented that managers should build around him
The solutions
There are four solutions, two of which are outlined above: drop him and have a more balanced midfield or play him and benefit from his goal-scoring and creative powers, plus leadership and relentless running.
Another option may not be popular but there is a Wirtz-shaped elephant in the room. Does Iraola bench Wirtz and play Szoboszlai as the No10?
He’d have fewer defensive duties so the control and balance remains, but the Hungarian would pop up in dangerous areas to cause issues. Wirtz is a creative wizard when on form but how many times does he pass up an opportunity to shoot? Szoboszlai would already be wheeling away in celebration by the time Wirtz has made his mind up on what to do with an attack.
And then there is the compromise of Szoboszlai at right back. The player himself does not like it as he feels less important in that position, but it solves a lot of issues including all the aforementioned balance and control quirks. It also adds one thing that is bothering Iraola – creativity and attacking verve from right back.
The downside of this is Liverpool would lose the defensive acumen and physicality of aerial presence of Ronald Araujo, who is currently enjoying cult hero status at right back.
Szoboszlai is a strong right back but does not like playing there as he believes he has less influence on the game
What would I do?
The best teams build around the best players. There are always similar debates around Erling Haaland at Manchester City and anyone who argues the case to drop him is made to look silly.
So I will say the same about Szoboszlai. It is on Iraola to make it work. Most managers would kill for a depth of midfield talent like he has. Why not play him at right back? It solves multiple issues at once and Liverpool can finally replace the creativity Trent Alexander-Arnold used to bring from that role.
If Liverpool are seeing a game out, they can push Szoboszlai to the No 10, sub off Wirtz and bring on a true defender to help the physical battle.
Kuyt relishing Reds reunion
Liverpool will be reunited with an old friend on Wednesday – and former cult hero Dirk Kuyt is relishing the chance to beat his old team.
Kuyt, played 285 times for the Reds between 2006 and 2012, scoring 71 times – and will face his old team for the first time on Wednesday as manager of Turkish giants Fenerbahce.
The Dutchman took over last week after a spell as assistant manager and said: ‘As soon as the draw was done, I was really excited because everyone knows how much Fenerbahce and Liverpool mean to me.
‘It will be a very special occasion for me but at the stage we’re in, I’m not here for myself. I’m here for the club and that’s what is important – to show the fans who deserve much more.
‘If we show up tomorrow with good energy, with passion and there to play, it can be a very special night.
‘Liverpool are an amazing team but so are Fenerbahce. If the fans show up, I think Europe will see how big this fan base is.’
Liverpool have happy memories in Istanbul having won this competition here in 2005 – though they lost twice to Galatasaray in Turkey last season, in the league phase and then last-16.
Fenerbahce play on the Asian side of the city and have familiar faces such as Romelu Lukaku, N’Golo Kante, Ederson, Nathan Ake and Mason Greenwood.
Liverpool will be without midfielder Ryan Gravenberch, who has a heel problem.
Boss Andoni Iraola said he liked a lot of the performance against Arsenal on Sunday but his side still need to improve.
‘It is difficult when you lose but honestly I am happy with a lot of things from the other day,’ he said. ‘I liked a lot of things but we still need to improve, especially attacking the box.’
LEWIS STEELE
