Dominik Szoboszlai flourishing in new ’10’ role as Liverpool aims to join exclusive defensive club

Life as Liverpool manager couldn’t be going any smoother for Arne Slot, who had the unenviable task of following in Jürgen Klopp’s footsteps this summer.

But the Dutch tactician inherited a battle-hardened squad laced with youth and experience. Plus, there were no major departures from Anfield, with Klopp’s predominant eleven from last term making up Slot’s early teams, albeit with a twist.

For one, Wataru Endo, ever-present following his signing from Eintracht Frankfurt last summer, is watching from the outside in with Ryan Gravenberch — also leaving the Bundesliga ahead of the 2023/24 campaign — slotting into a revamped Liverpool midfield in terms of personnel and shape.

Despite coming from a nation where 4-3-3 is sacrosanct, Slot, unlike his German predecessor, prefers a 4-2-3-1 system. This formation offers the utilisation of a deep-lying forward or number 10 behind a centre-forward. So far, Diogo Jota is leading Liverpool’s attack with Dominik Szoboszlai taking up that space behind him.

Szoboszlai, another who relocated from Klopp’s homeland a year ago, was nominally used in a midfield three as the RCM during his debut Premier League campaign. He played slightly further afield for RB Leipzig the season before leaving for England, mostly on the right flank, back when he collected 10 goals and 13 assists in 46 official matches.

This adaptability to playing in multiple positions makes Szoboszlai an asset, and he’s performing his newfound duties for Liverpool astutely. No one in a Reds jersey has created more chances (eight) than he has, resulting in one assist, but what has caught the eye is Szoboszlai’s infectious work rate—notably, he’s already covered the most distance (33.9 km) of any Liverpool player.

Having raised expectations when handed the number eight jersey, previously worn by legendary skipper Steven Gerrard, there have been comparisons which he welcomed to an extent. “I want to do it my own way, but of course it feels good if they say I am the new Steven Gerrard,” he told the PA news agency soon after relocating to Merseyside.

Back then, Szoboszlai recognised the bigger picture and succinctly expressed his mindset, which has borne fruit this term. “If I have to run all around the pitch, I will run all around the pitch,” he said.

His selflessness would be music to Slot’s ears, as he’s a manager, like many of his compatriots, who preach that the forwards should be the first defenders.

Szoboszlai’s ability to cover large swaths of ground makes him ideal in the Reds’ pressing game and in turn stifles opposition players from moving upfield and threatening Alisson’s goal.

Indeed, after the opening three matches, Liverpool boasts the Premier League’s best record when it comes to goals conceded (none) and clean sheets (three), while they are second regarding shots faced (23) and shots on target faced (seven).

Consequently, this has put the 19-time English champions on the precipice of history. After winning all three of their Premier League games this season while keeping a clean sheet each time. They could be only the fifth side in English top-flight history to win each of their opening four in a season without conceding, after Aston Villa in 1900-01, Ipswich Town in 1974-75, Chelsea in 2005-06, and Manchester City in 2015-16.

Liverpool’s best defensive record in a 38-game Premier League season is 21 clean sheets and 22 goals conceded, achieved in the 2018/19 season when they finished as runners-up. Chelsea holds the record for the fewest goals conceded in a 38-game Premier League season, with just 15 goals conceded in the 2004/05 season.

Being solid at the back is what Slot’s Feyenoord became renowned for. In each of his three seasons in charge of the Eredivisie powerhouse, they boasted the league’s second-best defensive record, conceding an average of 30 goals per season.

Football is ultimately a team sport, and it’s very early days, but the performances of Szoboszlai and the way he’s taken to his new role suggest the Hungarian international will play a fundamental role in the club’s pursuit of glory.