Is Dominik Szoboszlai the answer to Liverpool’s midfield woes?

On 2 July, Liverpool announced the £60 million signing of Hungarian international Dominik Szoboszlai from RB Leipzig. It follows the saga of several big-money players that failed to arrive at Anfield in recent transfer windows, with the likes of Aurélien Tchouaméni and Jude Bellingham favouring a move to the Santiago Bernabéu.

It is no secret that Liverpool have been under-equipped in the middle of the park for some time. The 22/23 season presented many challenges to Klopp’s “mentality monsters”, and it became increasingly evident that the Reds needed to spend big this summer to bolster their midfield. With the likes of Naby Keïta, Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain, James Milner and Arthur all leaving the club, bringing in a creative spark in the middle of the pitch was imperative for Klopp’s side. And that they have done with the acquisition of 22-year-old Dominik Szoboszlai, who has signed a five-year contract with the Reds.

Szoboszlai is Liverpool’s second major signing of the summer, following the arrival of highly-rated Alexis Mac Allister from Brighton

The Hungarian sensation brings quality all over the pitch, particularly as an attacking no. 8. Szoboszlai also offers versatility across the front three, having been previously deployed as a left-sided winger, a right forward and as a no. 10. Given the amount of football Klopp’s men will be expected to play next season, chasing the Premier League, Europa League and two domestic trophies, there is no doubt that the Reds will benefit from having such a versatile playmaker in their ranks.

Szoboszlai is Liverpool’s second major signing of the summer, following the arrival of highly-rated Alexis Mac Allister from Brighton, for an initial fee of £35 million. The World Cup winner will no doubt be a valuable asset to the Liverpool midfield, offering a keen eye for a pass and a major threat going forward. The same can be said for Szoboszlai, who scored 20 goals and assisted 22 in 91 appearances for RB Leipzig. According to Opta, he is one of 14 Bundesliga players to have created at least 100 chances for teammates since the 21/22 season, boasting the fifth-highest average per 90.

Szoboszlai’s creative spark, work rate and threat from distance offers a dynamic similar to that of former Liverpool star Philippe Coutinho. When the Brazilian joined Barcelona for a club-record fee of £142 million in 2018, Liverpool lost a major midfield threat that hadn’t been replaced… until now.

The Hungarian international will wear the iconic no. 8 next season, following the footsteps of Liverpool legend Steven Gerrard. Szoboszlai is said to be a great admirer of the Anfield star, having actively put himself forward to assume the famous no. 8 shirt.

Szoboszlai offers a blend of first-team quality and room for progression, and under Klopp’s management, it’s safe to say that Liverpool have a youthful midfield gem on their books

Szoboszlai no doubt has a lot to live up to, given that Guinea international Naby Keïta failed to hit the ground running after completing a £48 million move to Merseyside in July 2018. But the Hungarian playmaker has a track record of handling the pressure, scoring the second in a 2-0 win over Eintracht Frankfurt to secure the DFB-Pokal for Leipzig this season, and almost single-handedly carrying the Hungary national team throughout the Euro 2020 qualifiers.

Szoboszlai has already made his mark as a big-game player, having given Leipzig a glimmer of hope after converting a crucial penalty against PSG in the 21/22 Champions League. In the interview after the game, a video went viral of Szoboszlai calmly dismissing Neymar’s attempts to put him off, cooly asserting “I never miss” before scoring a well-placed penalty to the keeper’s right. It was that same season that Szoboszlai helped sink a 10-man City, which saw the citizens dramatically exit the competition.

If Liverpool are to get back to their best, they no doubt need to sign players who can perform at the highest level. By signing a World Cup winner and a player as gifted as Szoboszlai, the Reds find themselves spoiled for choice in the middle of the park. Liverpool very rarely get it wrong in the transfer market, and for a combined total of £95 million, the acquisition of Mac Allister and Szoboszlai is very sensible business.

It will be interesting to see Klopp’s starting XI for the 23/24 season. With Alexander-Arnold adopting the inverted fullback role, and the addition of two attack-minded midfielders, Liverpool will be as dangerous as ever in the final third of the pitch. It seems all that’s needed is some defensive cover for Liverpool to be back at their best, posing a serious threat to the teams in and around the top four.

There’s no doubt that the likes of Mohammed Salah, Luis Diaz and Cody Gakpo will benefit from this revamped Liverpool midfield. Szoboszlai offers a blend of first-team quality and room for progression, and under Klopp’s management, it’s safe to say that Liverpool have a youthful midfield gem on their books.

Whether it be the gegenpress, a killer pass in behind or a set-piece specialist, Szoboszlai is in many ways a perfect addition to Jurgen Klopp’s team. At just 22 years old, the Hungary captain is a buy for the present and the future, and is a player that Liverpool fans will be very excited to see hit the ground running next season.