Szoboszlai hails Slot’s approach as late winner seals crucial Liverpool victory
Liverpool’s narrow 1-0 win over Inter Milan at San Siro offered more than just another European triumph. It provided a snapshot of a team adapting, evolving and leaning into the methods of Arne Slot – with Dominik Szoboszlai once again at the centre of the story.
The Hungarian midfielder delivered the decisive moment from the spot in the 88th minute, converting with trademark conviction after a VAR review identified a foul on substitute Florian Wirtz. It was a finish crafted in calmness, and it sealed a result Liverpool had been grinding towards all evening.
Speaking after the match, Szoboszlai struck a confident tone about the group’s resilience and the direction in which Slot is steering the squad.
Hard-earned points in pivotal European battle
Liverpool’s victory owed much to their collective intensity, something their No.8 was quick to highlight.
“It feels very good, especially in these kinds of moments,” Szoboszlai said. “We fought as a team. We fight until the end and we never give up. At the end the hard work paid off and that’s what we did. We’ll take the three points home.”
The midfielder’s influence extended beyond the penalty. Liverpool had earlier seen an Ibrahima Konaté header ruled out for handball in the build-up, a setback that could easily have disrupted rhythm. Instead, the visitors held their shape, denied Inter’s momentum and stayed patient for their opportunity.
Slot’s midfield tweak earns approval
One of the talking points following the match was Liverpool’s continued experimentation in midfield. Slot has shifted his structure in recent games, opting for a diamond on certain occasions and a more fluid shape in others. Szoboszlai offered insight into the adjustment period.
“It’s different to how we used to play,” he explained. “But against Leeds it was quite OK… The gaffer puts us in this formation and then we have to perform in this formation. If he does something different then we have to do something different.”
There is a growing sense that Liverpool’s midfield is becoming more adaptable under Slot, capable of switching tempo and controlling contests regardless of configuration. Szoboszlai echoed that confidence: “Actually, it doesn’t matter how we play. If we control the game, we can control in any position or any situation because we have the quality and we have the players for it.”
Defensive resolve restores confidence
Beyond the late goal, Liverpool’s clean sheet represented another significant positive. After recent weeks of inconsistency, Slot will have been encouraged by a disciplined collective effort.
“It was very important,” Szoboszlai said. “That’s what we talked about. We need everybody. Not only the defenders. It starts from the striker and then the midfielders and then the defenders and then we still have Ali. If everybody gives their best then it’s really hard to score against us.”
With ambitions of pushing towards a top-eight finish in the Champions League league phase, Liverpool know fine margins matter. This win, carved out in one of Europe’s most daunting arenas, offered both points and momentum.
Focus shifts to domestic push
While the Champions League continues to shape Liverpool’s season, immediate attention turns back to the Premier League.
“That’s our job and our plan,” Szoboszlai noted. “We now focus on the Premier League a little bit longer and then the Champions League will follow next year.”
Slot’s side will hope that the resilience shown in Milan marks the start of a sustained winter surge. With Szoboszlai growing in influence and the system settling into sharper definition, Liverpool appear to be aligning at just the right time.
