Dominik Szoboszlai has already made fans sit up and take notice, but just how strong can he prove as an addition to Liverpool’s midfield? The return to Anfield got off to the worst possible start when the Reds were penalized for not reacting to Antoine Semenyo’s offside warning signal. It could have been a disaster, but Liverpool seized the moment and seized the opportunity on a rewarding afternoon in what could have been a difficult series.
In retrospect, despite the early setbacks and questionable deliveries, it was a relatively routine 3-pointer. Alexis Mac Allister was deservedly applauded at Stamford Bridge, but Thomas Brammall’s midfield goal took the match against Bournemouth. Szoboszlai enjoyed a difficult afternoon.
He arrived from RB Leipzig in a £60m deal and a goal-scoring role to match.
Liverpool’s midfield change had to be thorough, as the sudden departures of Fabinho and Jordan Henderson left Jurgen Klopp with next to nothing. Although Mac Allister joined the firm at almost half price, he was also a banker. Proven quality in the Premier League, with a World Cup medal to add to his CV. At the age of 22, Szoboszlai could have been seen as more of a project. It was a signing no one expected, but maybe we should have.
The Reds boasted three of the best strikers in world football between 2018 and 2020, and with the loss of the old guard, the club has gone deep with the next generation.
Even in a successful Premier League season in which they won 26 of their first 27 games, Liverpool lacked goals from elsewhere. Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain is probably the only Reds midfielder known for his goals in the last decade, but even he failed to hit double figures at Anfield during his injury-plagued career. Szoboszlai has 10 goals and 13 assists in the 2022/23 season, not even close.
The manager described the Hungarian’s arrival as a new deal “for our present and our future” and there is a feeling he will see the new deal through in every possible way. Szoboszlai couldn’t score or assist his man, but his fearless touch and effortless creativity could have given Bournemouth’s defenders nightmares on Saturday night.
It felt too easy at times, and when you add the context that it was his home debut, you can see why Klopp was so excited about what the future holds for him. He has already done a few corner assignments and, you never know, he might even be looking at penalties after Mohamed Salah’s recent miss. Led by five world-class strikers and rising star Ben Doak, Liverpool are unlikely to win this season. It is worth emphasizing that this was only a fleeting impression, but Szoboszlai’s performance showed that the same predecessors can fuel the creativity behind them.
The Reds were not forced to let go of any of the five senior midfielders who left the club in the summer and that meant the market had to be sorted. For all his qualities and amazing captaincy at Liverpool,
the current version of Henderson is unlikely to ever make the kind of contribution that Szoboszlai will make in 2023/24, likely. both ways. The former captain can turn the ball and pass the ball to attacking players who could work magic with it. In Szoboszlai, we have a player who can do these things while also doing magic himself.
We also have a player who can handle his defensive duties. The Hungarian captain battled relentlessly against Bournemouth and was even tasked with playing at number six following Mac Allister’s red card. His impressive performance in the summer milk test quickly made it clear to fans that we were getting a physical specimen, not just an exciting footballer.
After the win at Bournemouth, the manager said he had to keep it going and said he was the only one with the strength to do more with a consistent run in mind. His mobility is a huge asset in Klopp’s system and he should be expected to be a huge improvement on any midfielder in the side.
As fans, we have an innate need to jump to conclusions about an acquisition based on even the smallest piece of evidence, both positive and negative. Partially absent from his first two appearances in a red shirt, Cody Gakpo now looks like a complete and versatile footballer with immeasurable success. Szoboszlai certainly attracted attention with his first two performances and raised expectations for what was to come. All the early signs point to what could be an extraordinary midfield shake-up. It’s always important not to stress too much, even if the jersey number he chooses looks like he can handle the pressure!
We’ll have to wait and see what level Szoboszlai reaches and what impact it has on Liverpool’s hopes at every turn.
