When Dominik Szoboszlai stepped as much as take a free-kick within the 83rd minute at Anfield final weekend, he knew he had a possibility to determine a cagey recreation of tactical chess by which Liverpool and Arsenal had nullified one another.
Remarkably, he had the wherewithal to assume clearly. He assessed what ’keeper David Raya was most certainly to do, weighed up his choices and made the courageous alternative. A chic free-kick dipped and curled completely in off Raya’s right-hand submit to go away the Spaniard helpless. The inch-perfect execution of the strike was as spectacular because the thought that went into it.
Capturing his shot
“I needed to take a threat,” Szoboszlai informed Sky Sports activities, “and shoot it a bit of bit tougher as a result of I do know Raya likes to leap behind the wall and, after all, he’s an unbelievable goalkeeper. So if I believe it goes a bit of bit extra inside [closer to the ‘keeper than the post], he saves it. I ought to point out Trent [Alexander-Arnold]. He was taking the free-kicks as a result of, clearly, he has an unbelievable shot. However lastly I might have my likelihood and I did it.”
The tense conflict between the 2 main contenders for the Premier League crown demanded one thing particular. “The sport wanted a second of magic for both crew to win it,” Liverpool supervisor Arne Slot mentioned, “and it was Dominik who did so.” Arsenal supervisor Mikel Arteta’s impartial evaluation was related — the margins have been so skinny, he mentioned, that solely a person error or a unprecedented second might make the distinction.
Match-winning means is uncommon, typically seen because the protect of the maverick attacker or the generational expertise. Szoboszlai is one thing of a unicorn — an all-around, tactically clever, hard-working midfielder comfortable to do the crew’s soiled work, however prepared to vary a giant recreation with creativeness, ball-striking and, if all else fails, sheer willpower.
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In Liverpool’s earlier Premier League recreation in opposition to Newcastle, Szoboszlai performed a key function in teenager Rio Ngumoha’s match-winner. He attracted a defender with a pointy central run into the field, having scanned behind him to see that this could purchase Ngumoha area. He then bought his marker a convincing dummy, leaving Ngumoha free to bury the ball within the far nook.
In each matches, Szoboszlai operated at right-back — a brand new place for him, however simply one other function added to the multifaceted portfolio the Hungary midfielder has steadily constructed up.
Getting caught in: Along with his means on the ball, Szoboszlai is outstanding with out it. The 24-year-old is a decided presser who loves the duel.
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When Jurgen Klopp introduced him to Merseyside from RB Leipzig in 2023, Szoboszlai was finest often known as an attacking-midfielder. However Klopp had recognized different makes use of. “I don’t assume he performed the place he performs for us at Leipzig. He performed on the wing, as a No. 10 extra inside. [But with us, he’s played] as an eight, a six, a double six as properly, so it’s actually attention-grabbing to look at how shortly he adapts and develops,” Klopp mentioned in September 2023.
Two years on, we all know precisely how properly he has tailored and developed. In his first Liverpool season, below Klopp, he performed in central midfield, fulfilling a variety of directions inside the system. Final season, below Slot, his function modified once more.
“[In 2023-24], I used to be extra an eight,” he informed Sky Sports activities earlier this yr. “This season [2024-25], there’s extra of an attacking half, a freer function. However I’ve to cowl quite a bit [of ground] on the fitting aspect. I’m doing that for Mo [Salah], for the crew. Generally I really feel if I wouldn’t try this, I’d have extra power for attacking. However I really feel if the crew is comfortable, each particular person is comfortable.”
Into the breach
Over 4 video games in 2025-26, Szoboszlai has already morphed into a number of puzzle items so Slot can match him in the place Liverpool has been depleted by damage. Within the Neighborhood Defend and within the first Premier League recreation, the 24-year-old was used as a deep midfielder in Ryan Gravenberch’s absence. Then, when right-back Jeremie Frimpong injured his hamstring, Szoboszlai was plugged into that hole. He has nonetheless discovered a approach to affect matches.
“He understands what a Liverpool participant ought to appear to be. Should you put on this shirt, you must give every part, irrespective of in what place you play,” Slot mentioned. “Unbelievable from him able he has in all probability performed solely two or 3 times in his life.”
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Szoboszlai’s work ethic and flexibility have endeared him to Liverpool followers, however Slot may need discovered one thing much more vital than he first anticipated. Alexander-Arnold, who moved to Actual Madrid, was unattainable to switch as a result of he has such a novel skill-set. However Szoboszlai does a good impression of the previous Reds right-back.
Whether or not it was spraying cross-field balls or making blindside runs into midfield, he confirmed that he can present a unique tactical angle even when Slot’s first-choice right-back returns. Certainly, a mid-game shift in place might catch the opposition unawares. For a supervisor who excels at making small changes in the course of the 90 minutes, Szoboszlai presents immense worth.
The Hungary captain is superb on the ball, with a document of stepping up in cup finals and video games in opposition to high rivals. He has the power to progress play with lengthy passes or brief mixtures, and might elude strain with a deft feint or fast burst. He’s distinctive with out the ball, an clever, decided presser who loves the duel.
Defining interval: Szoboszlai’s early soccer life, which included coaching along with his ex-pro father and leaving dwelling as an adolescent, has formed his character.
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“You must run and press, in any other case you possibly can have as a lot high quality as you need, you gained’t be totally taken in,” he informed the Crimson Bull web site. “It’s not straightforward, however that’s what you study within the Crimson Bull system. You study when and tips on how to make your run. Probably the most essential half, although, is that you could’t miss your dash. You must decide to and make the dash each single time.”
Szoboszlai’s early soccer life, which included coaching along with his father, a former participant, and leaving dwelling as an adolescent to show skilled, has formed his character. “Once I began, me and my dad, we had a plan. He put me on the best stage that I ought to play,” Szoboszlai mentioned. “He was at all times tougher with me than with the others. He at all times needed me to be the very best, and now I perceive why he did it, and now we’re shut, we’re very shut.”
Group earlier than self
However the formidable upbringing has not bred a egocentric participant. A defining high quality of Szoboszlai’s recreation is his need to place the crew’s pursuits earlier than his personal.
“I simply do my issues,” he mentioned. “If the targets are coming they’re coming, if the assists are coming they’re coming. The crew needs to be profitable. If the crew is profitable you’re going to achieve success as an individual, as a participant. I could make choices that aren’t straightforward, however for me the crew is in entrance of every part.” It’s no shock that he has slot in so properly at Liverpool.
