Szoboszlai Can Be Liverpool’s Frank Lampard?
In the summer of 2023, Liverpool’s former interim Sporting Director, Jörg Schmadtke, pulled off one of the signings of the year by securing the services of RB Leipzig’s brilliant attacking asset, Dominik Szoboszlai. Within a remarkable transfer window that saw the Anfield giants part way with their former skipper, Jordan Henderson, as well as Fabinho, Alex Oxlade Chamberlain, James Milner, Naby Keïta, and Roberto Firmino, it heralded the start of Liverpool’s ongoing regeneration.
Following a strong start to life of Merseyside, the Hungarian skipper, Dom, gradually saw his form dip as he struggled to adapt to an altered role under his then manager, Jürgen Klopp. As the direct replacement for the outgoing captain, Jordan Henderson, the 6ft 1inch superstar was tasked into the box-to-box role that was once undertaken by the former team captain, something which perhaps limited his ability to impact games and run his body too far into the physical red.
Following that remarkable £60m move, the rigours of Premier League action and the intensity demanded by his German manager, meant the former FC Liefering academy graduate succumbed to hamstring injuries which scuppered the back end of his first campaign in red. With a new lease of life apparent, he can now restart life under the stewardship of a new Head Coach, Arne Slot.
What Can We Expect Under New Leadership?
It was always expected that as one of Europe’s bright young stars, the much-sought enigma would land at Manchester City. As an explosive and talented attacking midfielder, the former RB Salzburg man was seen as the natural heir to Pep Guardiola’s ageing talisman, Kevin De Bruyne. In a move that shocked the reds own fanbase, the release clause of Leipzig’s star man was triggered and the fabled number eight shirt was delivered to Liverpool’s new summer signing, Dominik Szoboszlai.
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What we have seen in the very first game of Liverpool’s 2024/25 campaign, is confirmation that the midfield trio has been altered to enable a double pivot operating behind an offensive number ten. Despite a stuttering first half against Premier League newsboys, Ipswich Town, the second half of play was a delightful showing of attacking brilliance which broke the will of the courageous Tractor Boys.
The superb performances of Slot’s established performers, Trent Alexander Arnold, Diogo Jota, and Mohamed Salah, allowed the game to be taken away from Kieron McKenna’s side. Many of the support revelled in the central control shown by the double pivot duo of Alexis Mac Allister and Ryan Gravenberch, however, I was most impressed by the latter game emergence of the reds attacking 23-year-old, Dominik Szoboszlai.
When operating in the Bundesliga from 2021-2023, a common left midfield or number ten role was undertaken by the jet heeled youngster. As a vital component which scored 20 goals in 91 appearances for the tip of the RB model, there was often a sense that his first campaign on Merseyside was one took him too far away from the opposition goal. Within a new 4-2-3-1 system that appears to have him working in behind a central striker, I believe the seven goals scored in 46 appearances last term can be tripled in this new advanced position.
Higher Goal Return
Like so many of the excited travelling support, I was mesmerised by the unstoppable patterns of play which tore through the Ipswich Towns resilience at Portman Road. The second half performance was an astounding display of confidence and offensive prowess that will only grow in time.
As a player that possesses a venomous strike and desire to impact the final third of the pitch, the 45-cap Hungary star will soon find his feet and become a true goal scoring threat. The preseason schedule gave a glimpse of how the overwhelming game plan may avail itself, whereas last Saturday lunch time gave even more of an insight into how the £100m rated player could thrive.
There was once a period where Frank Lampard was the free scoring asset who was key to the Chelsea team which dominated the Premier League. I believe the reds ferocious Hungarian can emulate the free scoring heroics of the former England man, thereby becoming a common name on the Liverpool scoresheet.
In appointing Arne Slot to the much-coveted role of Head Coach, the new Sporting CEO, Michael Edwards, would have been keen to bring a cutting-edge tactician to the fore that could unleash the talent within the group. I believe Dominik Szoboszlai could become a world class operator under his new Dutch manager, one that could carry the team to a whole new raft of success. The want to unlock the potential of this wondrous talent will be high on the list of everyone at the Axa Training Centre, something which could emerge this Sunday at Anfield, where Brentford are set to visit.
