Liverpool stars react to Dominik Szoboszlai’s ‘not ideal’ message away from Anfield
Dominik Szoboszlai has attempted to rally his Hungary team-mates after their ‘ideal start’ to the international break was halted.
Liverpool‘s number eight went into the new season’s first break on the crest of a wave after his goal continued the Reds’ 100 per cent record in the Premier League, sealing a 1-0 win over Arsenal at Anfield.
Szoboszlai’s 33-yard free-kick decided a clash which saw him put in a man-of-the-match performance against Liverpool’s title rivals, doing so from right-back rather than his usual attacking midfield position.
Florian Wirtz‘s arrival at Anfield for a club-record fee – beaten 73 days later by Alexander Isak – has seen Szoboszlai moved out of the number 10 role by Arne Slot, and was placed into the unfamiliar role due to Jeremie Frimpong‘s absence.
Dominik Szoboszlai returns to familiar territory for Hungary
Szoboszlai’s match-winning display against Arsenal gives Slot a decision to make after the international break with Frimpong and Conor Bradley both in contention to start against Burnley on 14 September.
Hungary boss Marco Rossi stated that he will use Szoboszlai in a more “comfortable” position for their World Cup qualifiers, and the 24-year-old started in midfield in a 2-2 draw with the Republic of Ireland.
Barnabas Varga and Roland Sallai’s goals inside the opening 15 minutes gave the Magyars a 2-0 lead, but Evan Ferguson netted early in the second half before Swansea striker Adam Idah‘s late equaliser.
Szoboszlai posted on Instagram after seeing out the 90 minutes as one half of Hungary’s double-pivot with Liverpool team-mate Milos Kerkez at left-back, bemoaning their inability to prevent the comeback.
In a message liked by Kerkez, Hugo Ekitike and Ryan Gravenberch, Szoboszlai said: “The ideal start was not long, but a tie could still be worth a lot in the end. Proud of our team and fans! Back home on Tuesday, in the Puskas [Arena]!”
Liverpool left with selection headache after Szoboszlai displays
Football Insider Verdict
Liverpool’s huge summer of spending has forged a new-look squad for Slot to mount his Premier League title defence with, but the likes of Szoboszlai could be squeezed out after Wirtz and Isak‘s signings.
Ekitike netted three goals in his first three competitive matches for the Reds, but could also face a spell out of the side to accomodate Isak unless Slot decides to change Liverpool’s formation this season.
Szoboszlai’s own displays in a multitude of positions make the Hungary skipper almost impossible for Slot to leave out, but it’s unclear how Liverpool’s best players this season can all fit into their revamped team.