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Build Around the Conductor, Not Around the Convenience

Another win and another dominant showing from Liverpool. Another reminder that when Dominik Szoboszlai is placed at the heart of Liverpool’s midfield, the entire side breathes differently.

In the 3–0 dismissal of Brighton at Anfield, Szoboszlai was restored to a central role — not drifting wide, not compensating, not accommodating — but orchestrating. The difference was immediate. His tempo control, vertical passing, and ball-carrying authority transformed Liverpool from a structured to a fluid team. He wasn’t merely involved; he was instrumental.

There is a growing temptation in modern squads to treat versatility as a tactical cheat code. Szoboszlai can play as an advanced eight, a roaming ten, an inverted wide forward, or even deeper in a double pivot if required. That flexibility is valuable. But it should never become the reason he is removed from his most influential zone.

The team should be centred around him.

When Szoboszlai operates centrally, Liverpool gains progression and penetration in the same phase. He receives under pressure and turns forward instinctively. He commits opponents, draws fouls in dangerous areas, and releases runners with precision. Against Brighton, his second-half goal was not just technically superb — it was symbolically correct. He arrived from depth, dictated the transition and finished with conviction.

Building around him does not mean sidelining others. Quite the opposite. It clarifies roles. It allows Florian Wirtz to operate from the left flank, where his half-space drifting can be even more devastating. It enables Alexis Mac Allister to dictate rhythm without overextending creatively. It keeps the spine balanced.

Great teams are built around their most influential profiles in their most natural positions. Liverpool must resist the urge to shift Szoboszlai simply because he can cope elsewhere. Structure should elevate stars, not displace them.

The Gerrard Lesson Liverpool Must Not Ignore

There is a cautionary tale here — one that should resonate strongly on Merseyside.

Steven Gerrard, England’s most complete midfielder of his generation, was repeatedly moved across the national side to “make room” for others. Left midfield. Right midfield. Deeper pivot. Supporting striker. The logic was simple: he was versatile enough to adapt so others could play in their preferred roles.

England won nothing.

The argument was always framed as a sacrifice for balance. In reality, it diluted influence. Gerrard was at his best as a dynamic, attacking central midfielder driving the game forward. Instead, he was often repositioned to accommodate system compromises.

Szoboszlai must not follow that path at the club level.

His ability to operate in multiple roles should be an emergency lever, not a default solution. If Liverpool believes he is their central pillar — and performances increasingly suggest he is — then the side must be designed accordingly. Florian Wirtz playing from the left is not a downgrade; it is a recalibration. His ability to drift inside from that flank could complement Szoboszlai’s central thrust beautifully.

Dom should be trusted in the role where he dictates rather than adjusts.

Against Brighton, we saw what that looks like. Authority. Verticality. Leadership through action. When Liverpool plays through him, they look coherent. When he is repositioned to accommodate, they risk becoming fragmented.

The lesson from history is clear. Do not move your best attacking midfielder simply because he can handle it. Build around him. Empower him. Let him define the rhythm.

Liverpool may not have won anything yet this season — but if they are to, it should be with Dominik Szoboszlai at the centre of everything.

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