There is plenty of discussion about Dominik Szoboszlai at the moment, and I can understand why.
The Hungarian midfielder is clearly a talented footballer. He has tremendous energy, can strike a ball brilliantly, is capable of producing moments of real quality and has the work rate to make a difference at both ends of the pitch.
When he is playing well, he can be one of Liverpool’s most influential players.
But there is a question I think Andoni Iraola needs to answer: Is Liverpool actually a better team with Szoboszlai at the heart of everything?
That might sound harsh, but individual quality and what is best for the team are not always the same thing.
Szoboszlai has been used in several different positions, and while his versatility is valuable, I am beginning to wonder whether Liverpool are still trying to work out where he belongs.
Szoboszlai can do a bit of everything – but what is his best position?
One of the biggest talking points is the number of roles Szoboszlai has been asked to perform.
He has played as a No.6, No.8, No.10, right winger and even right-back.
That tells you plenty about his willingness to help the team, but it also raises questions about whether he has been given a settled role.
Szoboszlai himself has previously acknowledged the different positions he has occupied, explaining that he simply wants to be on the pitch.
I admire that attitude, but Liverpool need more than a player who is willing to fill whichever gap appears.
They need to know where he can have the biggest influence.
For me, his best position is as a right-sided No.8, with the freedom to press aggressively, carry the ball forward, support the attack and arrive around the edge of the penalty area.
That is where his energy, athleticism and ability to make late runs can be most useful.
He can still contribute defensively without being expected to sit in front of the back four and dictate the game.
I don’t think he is the answer at No.6
Liverpool’s midfield has struggled for balance, and I don’t believe asking Szoboszlai to become the main defensive midfielder is the solution.
He has the engine and commitment, but the No.6 role requires positional discipline, awareness and the ability to protect the defence when the team loses possession.
It is not simply about running around and winning tackles.
We need someone who can read danger, control the space in front of the centre-backs and provide a reliable platform for the other midfielders.
I would rather see Liverpool recruit a specialist defensive midfielder than keep trying to turn Szoboszlai into something he isn’t.
That would allow him to concentrate on the qualities that make him such a dangerous player.
The No.10 question – what about Florian Wirtz?
This is another problem for Iraola.
Szoboszlai has previously been effective in an attacking midfield role, and there are supporters who believe he should be playing there instead of Florian Wirtz.
I can understand the argument, particularly when Wirtz is struggling to influence games.
But I don’t think dropping Wirtz is automatically the answer.
Liverpool signed him because of his creativity, vision and ability to unlock defences. He needs to be given the opportunity to establish himself in his preferred central role.
If both players are going to feature, Iraola has to find a system that allows them to complement each other rather than competing for exactly the same spaces.
That is where the manager earns his money.
You cannot simply put your best individuals on the pitch and expect everything to work. The balance has to be right.
Is Liverpool’s midfield actually better with Szoboszlai at its centre?
This is the question I keep coming back to.
Szoboszlai can have an outstanding individual game, but that does not necessarily mean Liverpool have controlled the midfield.
There have been occasions when his willingness to get forward has left spaces behind him. There have also been performances where he has struggled to influence the game when asked to play a deeper role.
His display against Fenerbahçe was another reminder that he is not immune from criticism. Playing in an advanced position, he failed to provide the influence Liverpool needed as the Reds eventually lost 3-2.
I don’t want to turn him into a scapegoat. Liverpool have much bigger problems than one player’s form.
But we have to be honest about what we are seeing.
The midfield needs to work as a unit. If one player is constantly being moved around, another is being asked to cover gaps and a third is struggling to get involved, the overall structure will suffer.
Iraola needs to establish clear responsibilities and make sure every player understands his role.
Szoboszlai is a valuable player – but Liverpool need a better-balanced midfield
I don’t want Liverpool to lose Szoboszlai or start questioning his long-term future.
He has plenty to offer, and I believe he can be a major player for this club.
But I would like to see him given a settled role as a right-sided No.8, with the freedom to use his energy and attacking qualities.
Then Liverpool need to recruit the right players around him.
A proper defensive midfielder would give the team greater protection, while a more balanced midfield would allow Szoboszlai to concentrate on influencing the game further forward.
We also need to make sure Wirtz is getting the platform to show his best football.
This is about building a midfield that works together, not finding a way to accommodate every individual regardless of the consequences.
My verdict: Stop moving Szoboszlai around and give him a proper role
Szoboszlai is a very good footballer, but I don’t think Liverpool have consistently found the best way to use him.
His versatility should be an advantage for Iraola, not a reason to keep changing his position.
For me, he is a No.8. Let him press, drive forward, support the attack and make those late runs into the box.
Don’t ask him to be the defensive midfielder, don’t keep pushing him out to right-back and don’t automatically make him the solution whenever another position needs filling.
Most importantly, Iraola has to decide whether the team is better balanced with Szoboszlai at the centre of his plans.
Liverpool need to build a midfield around the right combination of players, not simply build one around their most versatile midfielder.
I want Szoboszlai to succeed at Anfield, but the team has to come first.
Jamie – (The Kopite View)
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