Dominik Szoboszlai Can Be the Luis Díaz Replacement
Recently I wrote some words where I stated my believe that the Columbian flyer, Luis Díaz, would leave Merseyside this summer, after two and a half years as a Liverpool player. There have been continual reports throughout the past season stating that the former Porto man holds a desire to move to Barcelona, whereas PSG remain a viable and interested option that may well be the only club able to afford the assumed £75m fee. A double your money transfer fee (received) will almost certainly be accepted by the new Liverpool CEO, Michael Edwards, and his newly appointed Sporting Director, Richard Hughes. If the player wants the move away, the 27-year-old should be sold on as soon as possible, so that the new and soon to be incoming head coach, Arne Slot, has a settled group that can be added to by players committed to the project.
Marco Rossi here explains Dominik Szoboszlai’s role in Hungary’s system.
I’ve seen so many claim he plays on the wing or higher up for Hungary.
It’s simply not true. He’s got a free role. In some games you will see him playing a lot deeper than he does for #LFC.
— Bence Bocsák (@BenBocsak) May 28, 2024
How Should the Colombian be Replaced…?
Though there is sure to be some migration between the styles of the former Feyenoord manager and his predecessor, Jürgen Klopp, the basis of the on-ball dynamic should now see three advanced midfielders in behind a single striker. To facilitate a change to the system and keep key players in the side, my hope would be to see the Hungarian sensation and international captain, Dominik Szoboszlai, elevated into the more attacking role on the left wing. The actual Diaz replacement (in the squad and attacking group) could then be sourced away from a like for like area and be either a specialist second striker (number 10), or a right winger to allow the Egyptian King, Mohamed Salah, to move into the space behind the striker. Last season we saw the fitness and impact of the former RB Leipzig star, Dominik Szoboszlai, fall away after Christmas. Whereas he had the capacity and capabilities to play the right sided box to box role, it took away the venom he possesses instead of utilising the ferocious array of attacking skills at the club’s disposal.
| Dominik Szoboszlai (23) will be the youngest captain of his national team that will participate in this year’s Euros. pic.twitter.com/PFTOeNqkPh
— Hungarian Football Xtra (@HunFootballXtra) June 9, 2024
My hope for next season would be to see the 6ft 1inch powerhouse let off the loose, as I see comparisons to both Marcus Rashford and the former Anfield legend, Sadio Mané. The seven goals and four assists garnered in 45 games last season have only scratched the surface of what is possible, which is a destruction heaving attacking midfielder who could use his blistering power, pace, and shooting ability, to add a new dynamic to the forward line. He may not be the direct comparison replacement for the want-away Luis Díaz, but for me he could be the smartest and most productive. With a £70m price tag still hanging round his head, the 23-year-old still has much to prove, especially after the drop off in the new year. It is important, however, to focus in on the first half the campaign and the sensational moments which had Liverpool fans on the edges of their Anfield seats. Arne Slot will want to get the very best out of the international skipper, which could well see him thrust to the other side of the pitch and far closer to goal.
Football is not baseball where statistics is everything. For sure, numbers are important, but participation is way more important. The real question you should be asking yourself is how did we perform as a team when someone is playing?
When Luis Díaz was injured last season, we did very poor. This year, we were fighting until the end, and he was the player with most minutes.