When Dominik Szoboszlai stepped as much as take a free-kick within the 83rd minute at Anfield final weekend, he knew he had a possibility to resolve a cagey recreation of tactical chess during which Liverpool and Arsenal had nullified one another.
Remarkably, he had the wherewithal to suppose clearly. He assessed what ’keeper David Raya was almost definitely to do, weighed up his choices and made the courageous alternative. A chic free-kick dipped and curled completely in off Raya’s right-hand submit to go away the Spaniard helpless. The inch-perfect execution of the strike was as spectacular because the thought that went into it.
Shooting his shot
“I had to take a risk,” Szoboszlai advised Sky Sports, “and shoot it a little bit more durable as a result of I do know Raya likes to leap behind the wall and, after all, he’s an unbelievable goalkeeper. So if I believe it goes a little bit extra inside [nearer to the ‘keeper than the post], he saves it. I should mention Trent [Alexander-Arnold]. He was taking the free-kicks because, obviously, he has an unbelievable shot. But finally I could have my chance and I did it.”
The tense clash between the two leading contenders for the Premier League crown demanded something special. “The game needed a moment of magic for either team to win it,” Liverpool manager Arne Slot said, “and it was Dominik who did so.” Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta’s impartial evaluation was related — the margins had been so skinny, he mentioned, that solely a person error or a rare second might make the distinction.
Match-winning means is uncommon, usually seen because the protect of the maverick attacker or the generational expertise. Szoboszlai is one thing of a unicorn — an all-around, tactically clever, hard-working midfielder joyful to do the group’s soiled work, however prepared to alter a large recreation with creativeness, ball-striking and, if all else fails, sheer willpower.
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In Liverpool’s earlier Premier League recreation in opposition to Newcastle, Szoboszlai performed a key function in teenager Rio Ngumoha’s match-winner. He attracted a defender with a sharp central run into the field, having scanned behind him to see that this might purchase Ngumoha house. He then offered his marker a convincing dummy, leaving Ngumoha free to bury the ball within the far nook.
In each matches, Szoboszlai operated at right-back — a new place for him, however simply one other function added to the multifaceted portfolio the Hungary midfielder has steadily constructed up.
Getting caught in: In addition to his means on the ball, Szoboszlai is outstanding with out it. The 24-year-old is a decided presser who loves the duel.
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When Jurgen Klopp introduced him to Merseyside from RB Leipzig in 2023, Szoboszlai was finest referred to as an attacking-midfielder. But Klopp had recognized different makes use of. “I don’t think he played the position he plays for us at Leipzig. He played on the wing, as a No. 10 more inside. [But with us, he’s played] as an eight, a six, a double six as well, so it is really interesting to watch how quickly he adapts and develops,” Klopp mentioned in September 2023.
Two years on, we all know precisely how nicely he has tailored and developed. In his first Liverpool season, beneath Klopp, he performed in central midfield, fulfilling a vary of directions inside the system. Last season, beneath Slot, his function modified once more.
“[In 2023-24], I was more an eight,” he advised Sky Sports earlier this yr. “This season [2024-25], there’s more of an attacking part, a freer role. But I have to cover a lot [of ground] on the right side. I’m doing that for Mo [Salah], for the team. Sometimes I feel if I wouldn’t do that, I would have more energy for attacking. But I feel if the team is happy, every individual is happy.”
Into the breach
Over 4 video games in 2025-26, Szoboszlai has already morphed into a number of puzzle items so Slot can match him in the place Liverpool has been depleted by harm. In the Community Shield and within the first Premier League recreation, the 24-year-old was used as a deep midfielder in Ryan Gravenberch’s absence. Then, when right-back Jeremie Frimpong injured his hamstring, Szoboszlai was plugged into that hole. He has nonetheless discovered a strategy to affect matches.
“He understands what a Liverpool player should look like. If you wear this shirt, you should give everything, no matter in what position you play,” Slot mentioned. “Unbelievable from him in a position he has probably played only two or three times in his life.”
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Szoboszlai’s work ethic and flexibility have endeared him to Liverpool followers, however Slot may need discovered one thing much more vital than he first anticipated. Alexander-Arnold, who moved to Real Madrid, was not possible to interchange as a result of he has such a distinctive skill-set. But Szoboszlai does a truthful impression of the previous Reds right-back.
Whether it was spraying cross-field balls or making blindside runs into midfield, he confirmed that he can present a completely different tactical angle even when Slot’s first-choice right-back returns. Indeed, a mid-game shift in place might catch the opposition unawares. For a supervisor who excels at making small changes throughout the 90 minutes, Szoboszlai presents immense worth.
The Hungary captain is superb on the ball, with a report of stepping up in cup finals and video games in opposition to prime rivals. He has the power to progress play with lengthy passes or quick combos, and may elude strain with a deft feint or fast burst. He is outstanding with out the ball, an clever, decided presser who loves the duel.
Defining interval: Szoboszlai’s early soccer life, which included coaching along with his ex-pro father and leaving dwelling as a teenager, has formed his character.
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“You have to run and press, otherwise you can have as much quality as you want, you won’t be fully taken in,” he advised the Red Bull web site. “It’s not easy, but that’s what you learn in the Red Bull system. You learn when and how to make your run. The most crucial part, though, is that you can’t miss your sprint. You have to commit to and make the sprint every single time.”
Szoboszlai’s early soccer life, which included coaching along with his father, a former participant, and leaving dwelling as a teenager to show skilled, has formed his character. “When I started, me and my dad, we had a plan. He put me on the highest level that I should play,” Szoboszlai mentioned. “He was always harder with me than with the others. He always wanted me to be the best, and now I understand why he did it, and now we are close, we are very close.”
Team earlier than self
But the formidable upbringing has not bred a egocentric participant. A defining high quality of Szoboszlai’s recreation is his want to place the group’s pursuits earlier than his personal.
“I just do my things,” he mentioned. “If the goals are coming they are coming, if the assists are coming they are coming. The team should be successful. If the team is successful you’re going to be successful as a person, as a player. I can make decisions that are not easy, but for me the team is in front of everything.” It’s no shock that he has slot in so nicely at Liverpool.
