The successful signing of Dominik Szoboszlai could define Liverpool’s season. In speaking with the player’s former coach Rene Maric, we look at the qualities he brings and the tactical role he could fill in Jürgen Klopp’s new midfield…
Alexis Mac Allister is a household name in the Premier League crowd. The world champion brings control to midfield and can also cover the pitch. But it’s the opportunity to pair him with fellow new signing Dominik Szoboszlai that’s so intriguing.
This £60million transfer from RB Leipzig brings something new – but perhaps also something old. The initial success Klopp brought to Anfield came from a high-intensity game. Szoboszlai, 22, can. “He is incredibly athletic,” says René Maric
His physical output is very consistent when you look at his data. If you look at his plays from the eye test you can see he does nothing for show on defense, not just a 40 yard dash. But he never stops looking back. He wins duels.”
Maric worked with Szoboszlai when he was a young teenager at Red Bull Salzburg where he progressed to the first team where the Austrian coach was Marco Rose’s assistant. The principles of pressing were taught to the player at an early age
We had a meeting in the morning or a day off and I was working in the office and you were watching and he was on the pitch taking those great free kicks. It’s a mix of talent but also a lot of hard work. It shows his character.
If you know a player from a young age, you know that at 15 or 16 he will change a lot, but you only see the physical change in him. He is so much bigger and he has kept this, how to say in English, this very positive arrogance.
“He always knew he could become world class and now you can see he really believes that. But beyond that you can always see he’s someone who loves to play football, someone ‘one who likes to work hard.’ I think that combination is brilliant.
Al. Three goals in pre-season came from his corner kicks. “He will create danger through set pieces.” A bold shot from near the halfway line against Leicester. “He has one of the best ball attacks in the world.”
His ability to unlock defenses with something else will appeal to Klopp. The Liverpool boss commented after the opening game of the pre-season that there was too much emphasis on Trent Alexander-Arnold getting things done. Szoboszlai kan dat anche.
“It depends on how they use it, but his talent is incredible,” says Maric. “He’s very good with the ball. After all, he’s still a footballer. That means he’s someone who wants to get on the ball, who has the mentality to solve problems one-on-one.”
The question of where Szoboszlai will play for Liverpool is an interesting one. Considering he drifted wide right for Leipzig last season, with Mac Allister often filling that half-spot in the left channel, the two men looked like a natural fit for those forward roles.
But Klopp switched to Szoboszlai on the left in the first pre-season games. His flexibility, his ability to feel comfortable in wider positions than Mac Allister could be the explanation, as it allows Luis Diaz or Diogo Jota to break through in key areas.
Such a hybrid role is unusual for a Liverpool midfielder, but Szoboszlai is well suited to it. The position must allow him to isolate himself from defenders but also encourage him to push in areas where he can shoot or choose the last pass.
Maric thinks Szoboszlai is capable of playing this role. “If used well, I think he can play one-on-one on the wing, but that’s not his best position to stay out there and play one-on-one. I think there are other players for that,” he said.
To me, whether they play him as an inside 10 or as an 8 that can go wide when needed or the situation calls for it, if they use him like that, just his talent, his potential and how complete he is as a player, really makes him a fascinating perspective.
“He can make your ball tap, hold it, get your blood circulating, thanks to his ability to step away from pressure and still find a good pass. I expected him to go to Newcastle. Liverpool grabbed him and it was a smart move. I think it’s a great buy.”
It will depend on the mix, which will be crucial. Szoboszlai has the technique to improve Liverpool’s possession game and the physicality to deliver what is required from the ball. Even Klopp’s greatest midfielder lacked the former. The latter is missing from the new version.
“When he’s on fire he can hit an attacker from 25 yards or play a very creative last ball,” concludes Maric. “But even if he’s having a bad day, he’ll give you a defensive base, which I think is very important for the style of Liverpool and Klopp.”
The long-awaited makeover of the Liverpool midfielder has arrived.
