Dominik Szoboszlai was Jurgen Klopp’s greatest parting gift for Arne Slot – Liverpool FC

For all of Liverpool’s cash spent and signings made, it has been the energetic Dominik Szoboszlai who has carried the Reds at occasions this season.

Liverpool’s kind has fluctuated wildly for the reason that begin of the marketing campaign, successful seven in a row earlier than dropping six of the subsequent seven.

One fixed by way of all of it, although, has been Szoboszlai’s excellence whereas others round him floundered.

Whether or not it has been in a two, as a complicated midfielder or at right-back, the 25-year-old has continued to construct on a powerful finish to final season, main the Reds with punch and athleticism.

His performances have even drawn comparisons to these of Steven Gerrard, maybe not in high quality however in the best way he strides by way of midfield, commanding the actions of these round him.

Throughout his early days, nonetheless, the Hungarian wasn’t at all times forecast to be this commanding, box-to-box participant.

Dominik Szoboszlai was transformed by Jurgen Klopp

Key to Liverpool’s success in successful the Premier League and Champions League beneath Jurgen Klopp had been his industrious midfield, although the standard of participant concerned was typically downplayed.

With Fabinho and Jordan Henderson leaving after a marketing campaign by which it turned evident that they had misplaced their sturdiness that was so pivotal in earlier years, the membership wanted a brand new midfield.

With the assistance of non permanent sporting director Jorg Schmadtke, the membership recognized and acquired 4 new midfielders who all introduced completely different qualities to the desk.

Alexis Mac Allister added a contact of sophistication mixed with chunk within the deal with; Ryan Gravenberch had all of the potential of a marauding midfielder however his potential was to this point untapped; Wataru Endo was a veteran defensive midfielder who contributed nous and a love for tackling.

Szoboszlai’s future, although, was troublesome to learn.

The teenager made his identify at Purple Bull Salzburg in Austria, taking part in most frequently on the left, together with of their 4-3 2019 Champions League group-stage defeat 2019 at Anfield.

January 2021 noticed Szoboszlai be part of RB Leipzig within the Bundesliga, the place he performed 91 occasions, scoring 20 targets and 22 assists.

In Germany, he performed throughout the center and featured most frequently as an attacking midfielder or right-winger.

Nevertheless, Klopp and co. had clearly seen the attributes inside that will swimsuit him taking part in deeper, although maybe not as deep as right-back!

Dominik Szoboszlai’s first season at Liverpool

Following his £60 million arrival on Merseyside in 2024, Szoboszlai made an prompt impression taking part in on the fitting of a midfield three.

An absolute rocket in opposition to Leicester within the third spherical of the Carabao Cup gave us a style of the Hungarian’s ball-striking capacity. Within the phrases of Alan Partridge, he had ‘the foot of a traction engine’.

Nevertheless, the opening levels of the 2023/24 marketing campaign had been to be his greatest, with a hamstring harm holding him out of December and January’s motion.

After that, like a lot of the squad, he didn’t regain his kind and struggled in direction of the top of the season.

Klopp’s time at Liverpool had come to an finish, however possibly his biggest parting reward for Arne Slot had solely simply begun to get going.

Arne Slot’s maiden marketing campaign

Enjoying in a barely completely different system, Szoboszlai battled with Curtis Jones for the attacking midfield place in Slot’s first marketing campaign.

The pair introduced completely different strengths to the desk; Jones higher in tighter areas however Szoboszlai an animal within the press.

Because the season went on, it turned more and more obvious how very important Liverpool’s No. 8 had turn into to the Reds’ barely altered system.

It was Szoboszlai’s working between full-back and centre-half that will typically create house for Mo Salah, who loved one of many nice all-time particular person years, scoring 34 and aiding 23 targets – the best mixed tally of any participant in Europe’s prime 5 leagues.

It was arguably out of possession, although, the place Szoboszlai’s work was most significant, and it was when he wasn’t on the pitch that his significance was most noticeable.

With a headscarf holding his slick, lengthy hair in place, the Hungarian could have the picture of a stereotyped fashionable footballer who locations aesthetics above effectivity.

Nevertheless, that couldn’t be farther from the reality.

During the last 12 months in Europe’s prime 5 leagues, FBRef states solely seven % of his friends have received extra tackles. Szoboszlai additionally ranks within the prime 5 % for clearances and prime 4 % for ball recoveries, averaging an excellent 5.42 per 90 minutes.

When others are tiring, Szoboszlai comes into his personal as Liverpool push for late winners which got here so steadily firstly of the marketing campaign.

Jurgen Klopp’s biggest reward

As a consequence of his versatility, Slot has deployed Szoboszlai at right-back when crucial this season. Nevertheless, this has left Liverpool missing his presence in midfield – and it has been noticeable.

Whereas Liverpool might want to work out a plan to play effectively when he isn’t on the pitch, Szoboszlai’s availability is a key asset throughout a protracted season – he has missed simply two video games by way of sickness since February 2024.

Whether or not the 25-year-old can stick with it throughout successive lengthy seasons stays to be seen, however he has till now been an important cog within the Slot machine.

As the top coach seeks to play a distinct model of soccer, one which depends much less on physicality, Szoboszlai’s significance has served as an salient reminder of what made Klopp’s crew so nice, that excellent mix of talent and power.

It stands to motive that Szoboszlai was Klopp’s biggest parting reward to his successor.