Hungarian midfielder Dominik Szoboszlai joined Liverpool from RB Leipzig last summer. Despite impressive performances in the first half of last season, he was not at his best in the second half of the season, perhaps due to fatigue.
This season, coach Arne Slot switched him from inside-half to a more up-front position, and in defence he pressed from the front with the centre-forwards, but sometimes returned to the back to prevent the opposition from attacking. In attack, he is constantly in front of the goal, as he is every time.
As he is not in a fixed position, it is essential that he combines with other midfielders. He has also found a good response to playing with Alexis Mac Allister and Ryan Gravenberch, and revealed that they understand each other during the game.
“I think all of us are similar players and we know from each other that we can trust each other: so, we can swap places, we look at each other [and] we understand each other. Both of them are amazing players so I am more than happy to play with them.”
“Last year he [Ryan Gravenberch] didn’t have so much chance to show himself but I think if he gets the trust from the coach, this is actually Ryan. So, he is really important for us and also in the midfield he knows that sometimes he is the player who has to stay more back, but also sometimes if he goes then he knows we [will] stay. So, we understand each other and that’s helped us a lot.”
Liverpoolfc.com
He is required to play closer to goal than in the Jurgen Klopp era, and therefore coach Slott would like him to contribute to the team with goals and assists, along with the forwards.
The Hungarian captain has similar thoughts and has made it clear that he wants to improve in terms of numbers. On the other hand, he also mentioned that the team’s victory is the most important matter and he will give his all for it.
“Of course I want to score more goals [and] give more assists. Hopefully when I give a good ball then we have good players in front who are going to score them! My role is a little bit different than last year but still I’m going to do everything for the team. Even if my stats are not that high but the team wins, that’s the most important [thing].”