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A Szoboszlai Shift to the Left Opens Door for Florian Wirtz

As Liverpool begins laying the foundations for the next iteration of their squad under Arne Slot, difficult decisions will be required to shape a team capable of building on what looks to be a 20th league title. One may involve the future of Luis Díaz who has just over two years remaining on his current contract. With strong interest emerging from both the Saudi Pro League and Barcelona, the Colombian’s time on Merseyside may be entering its final chapter as he will no doubt be looking at the new deal for Mohamed Salah and demanding a substantial amount to re-sign. That departure could open the door for a positional reshuffle, and in Dominik Szoboszlai, Liverpool may already have a readymade left-sided option to evolve their attack.

A Natural Engine With Tactical Flexibility

Szoboszlai has largely featured in central and right-sided roles this season, offering relentless energy, positional discipline, and a willingness to carry the ball through midfield zones. But what has often gone unnoticed is his adaptability, with a lack of end product usually limited by low blocks and a lack of intrinsic play. A player with experience playing from the left for both Hungary and RB Leipzig, Szoboszlai combines a devastating long-range shot with elite ball striking and a knack for timing his runs into space. If Díaz departs, Slot may look inwards rather than out, leaning on the Hungarian’s ability to invert and create from the half-space.

Slot’s system demands wide players who contribute more than goals and assists. They must press intelligently, recycle possession quickly, and serve as links between midfield and attack. Szoboszlai checks all those boxes—and then some. His central engine has been critical this season, often compensating for Liverpool’s lack of a natural holding midfielder. But with a potential addition in that area, Szoboszlai could be released into a more advanced, fluid role that mirrors what he does for his national team.

Midfield Reinforcement Could Free Szoboszlai Further

For all the success Liverpool have enjoyed this season, there is a sense that the midfield still lacks a true specialist in the holding role. Wataru Endō has been reliable and committed, but the club may now seek a long-term anchor who can protect the back line and dictate the tempo. Two names that continue to gain traction internally are Adam Wharton and Aurélien Tchouaméni—both of whom would provide the kind of athletic, technically sharp presence that would elevate the entire midfield structure.

Such an acquisition would not only offer defensive protection but tactical liberation. Szoboszlai could push higher up the pitch without compromising the team’s balance. It would also allow Arne Slot to deploy a more attack-minded No.10, someone capable of operating between the lines with creativity and control—enter Florian Wirtz. The Bayer Leverkusen star has been one of Europe’s standout performers this season and would bring a dimension of ingenuity that could transform Liverpool’s buildup.

Pairing Wirtz and Szoboszlai behind a new-look frontline offers an enticing blueprint for a post-Díaz attack. Whether it’s a traditional No.9 or a more mobile forward, the synergy between a free-roaming 10 and an inverted wide playmaker could become the new hallmark of Slot’s offensive identity.

Evolution Through Structure, Not Sentiment

The possible departure of Díaz will sting much of the fanbase who adore the former Porto flyer—he’s been a tireless contributor, beloved in the dressing room and dynamic on the pitch. But the timing of his exit, should it materialise, aligns with a broader shift in Liverpool’s squad planning. This is not a sentimental rebuild. Under Michael Edwards and Richard Hughes, the club is showing signs of a more structured, forward-facing recruitment strategy—one built around tactical needs, player evolution, and clear succession planning.

Szoboszlai’s role, as ever, will be central to that. Whether as a left-sided destroyer or a midfield enabler, his presence gives Liverpool a bridge between what they were and what they are becoming. If Slot is to implement a more positionally fluid, technically driven style of play, the Hungarian may well be one of the most important pieces on the board. His future may lie on the flank—but it will be rooted in the centre of this new era.

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