There’s been a lot of debate ahead of today’s game about who should start at right-back — especially with Joe Gomez back fit and Curtis Jones impressing recently. But one selection that makes tactical sense and could prove decisive is Dominik Szoboszlai in the right-back role.
It might not be the orthodox choice, but this isn’t an ordinary match — and Szoboszlai’s skill set could give Liverpool a real edge.
What Makes Szoboszlai a Smart Right-Back Option
Szoboszlai isn’t a natural defender — but that’s exactly why this move could pay off:
⚡ Energy and Recovery Pace
He has the engine to cover ground, track runners, and recover quickly when possession is lost.
📈 Ball Progression
From right-back he can:
drift inside to create overloads link play with midfield thread passes that break defensive lines
This isn’t just a defensive job — it’s a way of turning full-back into attack initiation.
🧠 Tactical Intelligence
Szoboszlai’s reading of the game is excellent. He seldom gets caught out of position because he anticipates play rather than reacts to it.
And for a team that likes to dominate possession and work the ball wide, that intelligence matters.
Against Forest, It Makes Sense
Nottingham Forest are compact, direct, and organised defensively. Games against them often become battles of transition — not long spells of sustained attacking play.
In that context:
A natural defender like Gomez might keep things safe But Szoboszlai can actually help break Forest down by injecting creativity from deep wide positions
It’s a tactical twist that gives Liverpool a different attacking angle — and that’s crucial when defending teams sit deep.
What Slot Might Be Signalling
If Arne Slot picks Szoboszlai at right-back today, it could tell us:
✅ He wants the wide channel to be more than defensive
✅ He wants Liverpool to force Forest to react rather than absorb pressure
✅ He trusts the team’s structure enough to allow a creative player in that role
This isn’t slotting him in by accident — it’s clever strategic thinking.
What It Means for the Game
Szoboszlai at right-back means:
Liverpool can control build-up better They can switch play quickly They can create overloads in midfield from wide areas Forest’s defence will have to commit numbers earlier
In other words, it’s not a defensive gamble — it’s an attacking weapon.
Final Thought
Football is evolving, and full-back roles are not just about defending anymore. Modern systems demand players who can influence the game all over the pitch.
And few Liverpool players can do that better than Szoboszlai — even from right-back.
If he starts there today, don’t see it as a compromise.
See it as a tactical weapon deployed with precision.
Jamie (The Kopite View)
The Kopite View 
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