Liverpool march on as Arne Slot praises Dominik Szoboszlai after Brighton victory
Liverpool moved smoothly into the next round with a convincing 3-0 win over Brighton at Anfield, yet much of the post match discussion centred on Dominik Szoboszlai and the growing influence he has under Arne Slot. The Hungarian midfielder scored the second goal of the evening, continuing a season that reflects both personal growth and Liverpool’s evolving identity under their Premier League winning manager.
Curtis Jones opened the scoring before Szoboszlai added control and quality in the second half, while Mohamed Salah sealed the result from the penalty spot. For Slot, the performance highlighted the intensity and adaptability that now define this Liverpool side.
Arne Slot highlights Dominik Szoboszlai development
Slot’s assessment of Szoboszlai carried a tone of measured admiration. Asked about Salah’s praise, he said, “I think there are a lot of very good to elite football players in the world, but I definitely agree with Mo that Dominik is one of them.” The comment reflected a wider belief that Liverpool’s recruitment model is beginning to bear fruit.
The Liverpool manager expanded on the midfielder’s progression, stating, “When I said that [a Liverpool midfielder needing to score goals] I maybe had to add that you need to be able to run a lot if you play in the midfield of Liverpool. But I think what I meant was as a No.10 you also need to produce goals. Now he hasn’t always played in the No.10 position but he is producing more and more goals.”
Slot believes Szoboszlai embodies the club’s long term strategy. “I think Dominik is a great example of the model we are using here at this club… the player that we brought in was already good but where he is now, I think [he is] much better than where he was two-and-a-half years ago.”
Liverpool intensity and Salah influence
While Szoboszlai drew headlines, Slot also emphasised the collective improvement across Liverpool’s squad. Reflecting on Salah’s performance, he said, “It’s very nice to have him on the scoresheet again and him having an assist. But I think what I like the most at the moment, that he’s scoring goals is something you can almost expect, but he also helps the team a lot defensively.”
The manager noted that maintaining intensity every three days had been an early season challenge. Now, Liverpool appear more comfortable sustaining their tempo, something that allowed them to control the match against Brighton and secure the 3-0 result without unnecessary drama.
Leadership potential growing within squad
Another interesting insight from Slot’s press conference focused on leadership, particularly regarding Szoboszlai’s future role within Liverpool. “Yes, but he’s still young. I think he has a lot of attributes already, especially when it comes to leading by example,” Slot explained when discussing whether the midfielder could become a captain one day.
He added that becoming more vocal remains a natural next step, especially when compared to experienced figures in the dressing room. The manager’s comments suggest Liverpool see Szoboszlai as a cornerstone of their long term vision, both technically and mentally.
Squad flexibility key to Liverpool success
Slot also praised the versatility shown by players throughout the match. Jones’ performance at right back earned special mention, with the manager saying, “Very well. Curtis is a very good player… tonight Curtis had to play as a full-back and he did really well.” Such flexibility, alongside tactical discipline, underlines why Liverpool continue to look comfortable in multiple competitions.
With Liverpool progressing and Szoboszlai delivering another influential display, Slot’s project continues to gather momentum. The blend of youth development, tactical clarity and relentless intensity paints a picture of a side confident in its direction as the season unfolds.
