Liverpool star Dominik Szoboszlai provided the reason behind his lack of output, shutting down the recent criticism from Jamie Carragher. Szoboszlai has played as the most advanced attacker in the midfield three under new head coach Arne Slot this season.
Liverpool have shocked the Premier League by securing their 20th title in Slot’s debut season as the Liverpool head coach. Many believed that succeeding legendary manager Jurgen Klopp is a daunting task for the Dutchman to achieve major titles soon.
However, Liverpool and Slot proved their naysayers wrong, but many vulnerabilities have cost the club in cup competitions this season. The Reds lost the Carabao Cup final right after crashing out of the Champions League round of 16 in March.
The sudden drop in form and momentum mirrored the Reds’ late downfall under Klopp last season, costing many major trophies. Many players have a problem maintaining a high level of consistency throughout the season, while other weaknesses continue to fester.
Carragher pinpointed Szoboszlai for failing to contribute as many goals and assists as many other top Premier League players do. Speaking on the Stick to Football podcast, Carragher criticised Szoboszlai and asked Liverpool to find a contributor in the market. He said:
“I think Szoboszlai, Liverpool, can improve that. I know he’s a completely different player, he’s got great energy, but when you think what Arsenal have got in Odegaard, what Man City had in De Bruyne in the past, Chelsea have got Cole Palmer. Someone who’s going to get you close to 15, 20 goals a season from that position. I think three positions [to sign that would go] straight in the team – left-back, attacking midfielder, centre-forward.”
Speaking to Sky Sports (via YouTube), Szoboszlai provided the tactical reason why his contributions are low at Liverpool compared to other attackers. He said:
“[I play] a free role as an attacking part, but I have to cover a lot for my right side. I’m doing that also for Mo, for the team, for everyone. I’m just happy to help the team, and that’s my role. Sometimes I feel tired, sometimes I feel like if I wouldn’t have done that I would have more energy for attacking, but as long as the team is happy, then I think every individual is happy.”
The Hungary captain has made a valid point as he possesses the technique and quality to contribute more goals. However, the 24-year-old’s tactical work rate allows players like Mohamed Salah to score more goals, as his contribution proves. Furthermore, the tactics also help the right-back to overlap and contribute to the attacking third consistently.
However, there are games when Liverpool need more from their midfielders in front of the goal, more than work rate. Szoboszlai has struggled to find the balance between his work rate and when Liverpool needs him to contribute more.
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Hopefully, the Hungary captain will find that balance, but Liverpool still needs more contributors from the midfield area. Alexis Mac Allister and Ryan Gravenberch are tactically restricted as they dictate the middle third more.
While Harvey Elliott has struggled to receive significant game time, Slot has trusted Curtis Jones more as competition for Szoboszlai. Jones has also struggled with consistency, particularly during the latter stages of the season. Meanwhile, Szoboszlai has seven goals and six assists for Liverpool from 44 games in all competitions this season.
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