Versatile goal threat: Liverpool’s latest signing analysed

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Dominik Szoboszlai became the most expensive midfielder in Liverpool’s history when he joined from RB Leipzig for £60m. With an impressive spell in Germany under his belt and Liverpool needing a midfield makeover, the 22-year-old looks primed to become a key figure in Jürgen Klopp's team.

Szoboszlai initially honed his skills in a Hungarian academy team run by his father, himself a former professional footballer. Red Bull Salzburg brought the youngster to Austria aged 16, and gave him a Champions League debut within two years. He was voted Austrian Bundesliga Player of the Season at 19, after which a move to RB Leipzig in the German Bundesliga swiftly followed.

For Hungary, Szoboszlai has been talismanic. He secured long-awaited qualifications for the European Under-17 Championship and the senior Euros (below) with stunning last-minute winners. He subsequently missed out on the delayed Euro 2020 through injury, but bounced back to score an historic winner against England in the Nations League, as his national team's captain.

Succeeding Naby Keïta in the number-eight shirt at Anfield, he fits the profile of a typical Klopp signing, combining experience with excellent potential. Here, The Coaches' Voice examines Szoboszlai's style of play and position…

Technical analysis

A versatile right-footed attacking player, Szoboszlai has played in wide and central roles as both a number eight and number 10. His ability to progress the ball forward stands out, whether one-on-one or with incisive through balls. He spots teammates' movements early and can break lines with long, vertical passes, but he is also capable of more delicate passes to assist directly or in build-up play.

In tighter situations, Szoboszlai can break lines with lofted through balls, using a delicate scoop to pick out runs from wide. He also looks to play front-foot passes to break a deeper block, using disguised outside-of-the-foot distribution. 

He times his movements to receive well. This can be inside from wide to receive between the lines, or patiently waiting on the shoulder when positioned centrally, before breaking through and sliding in teammates (below). 

Goal threat

As an attacking midfielder, Liverpool's signing is a goal threat not least because of his excellent ball-striking. He drives through the ball to hit the bottom corners, although from further back he can add dip, making him a threat from distance (below). His technique allows him to whip, bend or drive set-piece deliveries, and he often displays the shooting mindset of a centre-forward, ignoring potential passing opportunities in favour of shooting.

He is also dangerous inside the penalty area, timing runs into the box during wide build-up play, or making runs in behind from midfield.

Under pressure in tight situations, Szoboszlai dribbles with excellent balance and control. Sometimes he will use a well-timed wall pass to progress, working the ball away from an opponent by using his strength to pass the ball and push off at the same time. Against better markers he can use disguise when playing a one-two, but his explosiveness over five yards means that's not always necessary.

Out of possession

Szoboszlai relishes duels, and will back-press with enthusiasm and energy. In a wider role he supports his full-back, and is able to force the ball either way depending on the space and position of teammates. Higher up the pitch, Szoboszlai will jump out of the midfield line with aggression, pressing especially well when forcing the ball outwards (below). 

Wide player

In Germany, Szoboszlai mostly played in a wide role, with licence to drift into central spaces. He often made penetrative runs to receive (below), where he was joined by aggressive full-backs in Benjamin Henrichs and David Raum. Both looked to advance very high and very early, allowing him to move into the inside channel or stay wide and get behind the opposing full-back. From there he could deliver early crosses, usually driven low across goal. Alternatively, he would connect with the deeper of the front two – one of Christopher Nkunku or Silva – with Timo Werner as RB Leipzig’s highest attacker. 

In the 2022/23 Bundesliga, Szoboszlai registered 22nd for dribbles. From the left side, he typically cut inside looking to shoot on his stronger foot. This, combined with more central efforts from the number 10 position, meant he ranked 14th for shots in the same season.

Central role

For RB Leipzig, he would also aggressively drift inside as an option at number 10, creating space for the full-backs to advance. Here, the Hungarian could thread through balls into the full-backs or number nines. In the 2022/23 Bundesliga, he delivered the most key passes and through balls for Leipzig, putting him in the division’s top 20 for both metrics.

His movements were often mirrored by Dani Olmo, which worked to create a box attack with the two central forwards (below), and the full-backs supporting outside. In a flattened Leipzig front line, the forwards operated on the last shoulder, as opposed to the nine and 10 on different lines when Szoboszlai stayed wide. 

Nkunku and Werner provided explosive, direct movements to give forward passing options. This allowed Szoboszlai and Olmo to receive in larger spaces, as the opposing back line dropped. In turn, this box attack gave the Hungarian opportunities to shoot from range.

At Liverpool, Hungary's skipper will have the opportunity to play with a top-class forward line and attacking full-backs, as well as fellow new signing Alexis Mac Allister. It is an intriguing prospect, for Liverpool fans and tactical observers alike.

To learn more about football tactics and gain insights from coaches at the top of the game, visit CV Academy

Author: The Coaches' Voice