Dominik Szoboszlai: From Partisan to Immensely Important
Does Dominik Szoboszlai’s Success Depend on Him?
After a number of matches this season, it seems that certain Liverpool supporters are determined to point the finger at one member of the team. Former red jersey wearers such as Ryan Gravenberch, Darwin Núñez, and Jordan Henderson have all faced criticism for not producing at a top level. While there was certainly merit to some of those three assets’ performances, Gravenberch has seen a significant improvement that has converted last season’s skeptics into ardent supporters.
With Darwin Nunez, the Uruguayan center forward, playing few games and the Dutch midfielder emerging early in the season, it seems that fans are now free to question another player in public. Such criticism strikes me as unjustified, especially in light of the fact that Dominik Szoboszlai, the Hungarian captain, has been the target of much of the early season unrest.
What Changes Has Dominik Szoboszlai’s Role Had This Season?
Even though this new coach’s squad is mostly the same as the one from the previous season, the midfield trio has likely undergone the most changes and improvements. The 2023–2024 season saw Dom, a former attacking midfielder for RB Leipzig, take over Jordan Henderson’s former box–to-box duties for Liverpool. The £60 million acquisition was able to relish the demands of that particular job in the early going of the previous season due to the physical requirements and in-game knowledge of the Reds’ new no. 8. Due to his physical prowess being exploited, the Hungarian superstar’s form inevitably declined, which resulted in a decline in performance following Christmas.
The 23-year-old asset has been moved to a more central role as the team’s main midfielder under the direction of his new head coach, Arne Slot. Known by its more popular name, the number. 10, this position is used in a 4-2-3-1 formation.
In the past, success in this field typically required a less dynamic person and a more flexible inventor. As a first team regular to date, Slot, the former manager of Feyenoord, has complete faith in the 47-cap Hungary international. A more distinctive specimen is currently being constructed to be both and defensive since, even if the player in question is closer to the forward line this term, there is still a huge need to track back and press when the reds lose possession.
The 6′ 1″ player’s ferocious qualities may be ideal for the request since many people are blind to the off-ball efforts that are being made. The days of Juan Mata and Mesut Özil, who would only serve as weapons and hang around higher up the pitch if their team lost the ball, are long gone from this role.
Regarding the Reds’ own rendition of the ‘no.10,’ Szoboszlai is rapidly evolving into a player that the team and head coach require rather than one that the supporters want to see. All of the intricate working elements are designed to be clever and progressive when they are on the ball, and to retain discipline and work rate when they are off it.
Though with one goal and three assists in 715 minutes so far, that’s a good return for a new system and new approaches, I fully expect the goal contributions to increase over time. The impatient fan base should look at the wider picture instead of finding fault, especially when it isn’t there, because a goal every 179 minutes must be measured against the heavy lifting that is being done when not in possession of the ball.