How Jurgen Klopp’s midfield trio have injected Liverpool with new energy
Adrian Clarke says the energy and quality of Szoboszla, Mac Allister and Jones could reap benefits against Spurs.
Liverpool’s new-look midfield is purring. Â
Summer signings Dominik Szoboszlai and Alexis Mac Allister have adapted effortlessly to Jurgen Klopp’s expansive playing style, along with the developing Curtis Jones.
Together they show a nice blend of athleticism and technical quality and this has created a strong platform for the Liverpool striker to steal goals.
As can be expected from three attack-minded individuals, they lack without the ball.
At times the trio is not as compact as Klopp would like, allowing opponents to break through to create chances on several occasions. For example, eight Premier League teams have had fewer shots than unbeaten Liverpool.
However, ahead of the exciting meeting with Tottenham Hotspur, the positive aspects of this three-man midfield are strongly more important than the areas of development.
Szoboszlai is a powerful but elegant midfielder who has already drawn comparisons to Liverpool great Steven Gerrard.
Although it is premature to put the 22-year-old on that pedestal, he has had a big impact in the opening weeks of the campaign.
The Hungary international has tremendous ball skills and his speed on the pitch is also a great asset both in and out of possession. With a top speed of 36.76 km/h, he is the third fastest player in this season’s Premier League and by some distance the fastest midfielder.
Fastest players in PL 23/24Â
Player top speed (km/h) Chiedozie Ogbene 36.93 Pedro Neto36.86 Dominik Szoboszlai36.76 Dominic Solanke36.10 Bryan Mbeumo35.94
Szoboszlai averages 23 sprints per 90 minutes, far more than Jordan Henderson’s 13 per 90 minutes last season. A player he effectively replaced on the right side of midfield.
He often uses this speed to gain possession and move past opponents in midfield.
His run off the ball is hard to watch, but he also takes players on the dribble to open up space.
Tireless workÂ
World Cup Mac Allister considers the midfield one of the links, so fellow player Jones also works tirelessly. Liverpool’s midfield was often passed over last season, but the axis of Szoboszlai-Jones is athletically machine-like.
Among players with at least three starts, Jones is fourth on his way to 90 with an average of 12.3 km.
Distance covered by midfielders 23/24Â
PlayerStarts*MinsDistance/90Christian Eriksen331612.7kmSander Berge324512.4kmMahmoud Dahoud324712.4kmCurtis Jones325512.3kmDejan Kulusevski653412.1kmBilly Gilmour134612.
Smooth in possessionÂ
This current midfield trio are all highly skilled passers with exceptionally high technical ability.
Szoboszlai is a wonderfully clean striker of the ball, which he showed with an unstoppable half-volley into the bottom corner against Aston Villa. His progressive forehands are also nice and crisp.
Szoboszlai’s amazing strike against VillaÂ
Playing to the left of Mac Allister, Jones – who also occasionally switches to the right – has simplified his distribution this season.
His passing accuracy of 93.9% is Liverpool’s best, keeping the ball moving with short sharp passes.
And Mac Allister, who played the role of the caretaker, is also top notch.
His generous assist for Darwin Nunez’s goal against West Ham United last Sunday was one of the highlights of the campaign. Great help from Mac Allister for Nune
Spurs’ new midfield unit is also in excellent form, featuring Yves Bissouma, Pape Matar Sarr and James Maddison.
For much of last Sunday’s north London derby, they were superb. They are a midfield unit that works incredibly hard in possession to get a man to the ball.
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They will try to rush Szoboszlai, Jones and Mac Allister and force them to make mistakes.
Their performance at such tactical speed is likely to have a huge impact on the outcome of an exciting contest.
