There is a statistic about Dominik Szoboszlai that deserves far more attention.
No Premier League player has more goal involvements in the Champions League than Szoboszlai since the start of last season — with 10.
Let that sink in.
Ten goal involvements in Europe’s biggest club competition.
And yet I still don’t think Szoboszlai gets the recognition he deserves.
This is where the big players produce
The Champions League is where you find out just how good a player really is.
It isn’t enough to perform against weaker opposition.
You are facing the best clubs in Europe, the best midfielders, the best defenders and some of the biggest pressure imaginable.
Szoboszlai has consistently made an impact.
And that is particularly impressive because his role has continued to evolve.
He isn’t simply a midfielder who waits for the ball.
He runs.
He presses.
He carries the ball.
He arrives in dangerous positions.
He creates.
And increasingly, he is contributing goals and assists at the highest level.
Iraola has unlocked something
For me, one of the most interesting things about Szoboszlai under Andoni Iraola is the way his role appears to be developing.
Rather than being asked to do one specific job, he is being given the freedom to influence games.
And that suits him.
Szoboszlai has always had the physical qualities.
He’s powerful.
He’s incredibly fit.
He’s capable of covering huge amounts of ground.
But there is much more to his game than running.
His passing has improved.
His movement has improved.
His decision-making has improved.
And when he gets into the final third, he can be a genuine threat.
People forget just how good he can be
I think Szoboszlai has sometimes been judged too harshly by Liverpool supporters.
There have been games where his final ball hasn’t been good enough.
There have been occasions when he has given possession away cheaply.
And yes, he can still become more consistent.
But that doesn’t mean we should overlook what he actually brings to the team.
Ten Champions League goal involvements is not a fluke.
It shows that when the level rises, Szoboszlai is capable of rising with it.
That’s exactly what you want from an important Liverpool player.
He could become even more important
Liverpool are still trying to find the perfect midfield combination under Iraola.
Alexis Mac Allister and Szoboszlai look increasingly important to that midfield, while Ryan Gravenberch has found himself competing for his place.
For me, Szoboszlai’s ability to contribute at both ends of the pitch could become hugely important.
He can help Liverpool defensively.
But he can also make things happen going forward.
And when Liverpool are playing against Europe’s best teams, having midfielders capable of doing both jobs is invaluable.
Ten goal involvements tells its own story
You can argue about individual performances.
You can debate whether Szoboszlai should play deeper or further forward.
You can criticise certain parts of his game.
But eventually the numbers start telling you something.
Ten goal involvements in the Champions League since the start of last season.
No Premier League player has more.
That puts Szoboszlai in some pretty impressive company.
And remember, he is still only 25.
There is potentially another level to come.
Liverpool need this version of Szoboszlai
Liverpool have already added serious attacking quality with Alexander Isak, Florian Wirtz and Bradley Barcola.
But the midfielders still have a huge role to play.
They need to create.
They need to arrive in the box.
They need to support the forwards.
And they need to contribute goals.
Szoboszlai can do that.
If he continues producing at this level in Europe, Liverpool will have a midfielder capable of deciding huge matches.
Give Szoboszlai his credit
I think it’s time we stopped talking about Szoboszlai simply as a player with potential.
He’s already producing.
Ten Champions League goal involvements since the start of last season.
No Premier League player has more.
That’s not potential.
That’s performance.
And if Iraola can continue getting the best out of him, I genuinely believe we could be about to see the best version of Dominik Szoboszlai in a Liverpool shirt.
The Champions League seems to bring something special out of him.
And Liverpool are going to need plenty more of it.
Jamie (The Kopite View)
Leave a Reply