Former Liverpool defender Steve Nicol has identified a slight alteration to Dominik Szoboszlai’s role under new manager Arne Slot.
Szoboszlai has been one of many Liverpool stars to impress in their perfect start to the 2024/25 Premier League campaign.
It was expected that Slot would utilise a more advanced midfielder with a double pivot behind them, and that role has been given to the Hungarian.
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The 23 year-old sees himself in much more advanced positions as opposed to last season under Jurgen Klopp where he operated on the right side of a midfield three.
Liverpool legend Nicol outlined that Szoboszlai’s new role has provided him with freedom to support Liverpool’s front three, making it a quartet going forward.
“Going forward, Szoboszlai looks as though he has got kind of a free role where Gravenberch and Mac Allister are sitting. And he has got a bit of a free role to try and get in the box and try and join in.
“So he [Arne Slot] ends up with four going forward. Diaz is the one that runs with it, Mo Salah is the one that’s looking to pierce the backline if he can, you have got Jota looking to connect things, and then you have got Szoboszlai coming on the end of stuff,” Nicol said on ESPN.
Dominik Szoboszlai
Szoboszlai’s freedom shown by his running stats
Szoboszlai is thriving in Arne Slot’s side and his running statistics will bring his boss equal satisfaction as his on-the-ball performance.
As per Lewis Steele, Szoboszlai’s 11.7km covered at Old Trafford on Sunday is the most by any Liverpool player in a match thus far this season.
The Hungary captain has also ran more than any Reds player this season, covering 33.9km, highlighting how crucial he is to the Liverpool press.
Speaking after Liverpool’s opening weekend win against Ipswich Town, Szoboszlai outlined that his work when Liverpool have the ball is slightly different but is off-the-ball work is similar to when Klopp was at the helm.
“I think I have more offensive work with the ball, but without the ball, I still have to do my stuff anyway, so the same as last season,” Szoboszlai said.
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