Statistical Analysis: Szoboszlai’s Off-the-Ball Metrics Will Blow Your Mind | OneFootball

Dominik Szoboszlai: Liverpool’s Key Man in The Middle

Liverpool’s season under Arne Slot has been a fascinating watch, and one of the standout figures in the midfield has undoubtedly been Dominik Szoboszlai. His impact has been dissected in great detail on Stat Me Up!, the Anfield Index podcast, where Dave Davis and Dr Phil Barter ran the numbers to see just how effective the Hungarian has been.

The stats don’t lie—Szoboszlai’s influence is growing, and as Dr Phil Barter noted, “he’s almost a four in the box”, constantly pushing into attacking areas while still managing to cover huge defensive spaces. Here’s an analytical deep dive into what makes him such a unique asset for Liverpool.

Szoboszlai’s Attacking Threat: True Forward-Minded Midfielder

Szoboszlai is a midfielder by trade, but his numbers are more reminiscent of an attacking player. “His total shots are 58, the highest of all the midfielders”, noted Barter. That’s no coincidence—his role in Liverpool’s midfield three is designed to push him into advanced areas, and he’s thriving in that position.

– Penalty box touches: 100, showing how often he gets into dangerous positions.

– Shots taken: 58, highest among Liverpool’s midfielders.

– Shots on target: 20, demonstrating accuracy.

– Expected goals (xG): 5.45, another team-high among midfielders.

Barter pointed out, “His xG is the highest because he takes more shots than anyone else outside the box—22 in total.” This shows a player willing to take responsibility for goal-scoring, adding another dimension to Liverpool’s attack.

The Link to Salah and Trent: Liverpool’s Right-Sided Triangle

Szoboszlai’s primary role isn’t just about shooting—it’s about linking play effectively. His most common passing combinations reveal a pattern that is key to Liverpool’s attacking play.

Barter highlighted, “Dom’s most dominant passing combinations are on the right. His safety one is Gravenberch, his biggest one is Mo Salah, and then it’s Trent.” This reinforces the tactical plan—win the ball, feed the creators, and let them make the magic happen.

A typical move described on the podcast: “He wins it, sets Trent, Trent clips it, and then Mo’s in. That is a standard move.” The Hungarian has become the glue that holds this right-sided combination together.

Photo: IMAGO

Defensive Workload: Stamina Monster

If his attacking stats are impressive, his off-the-ball work might be even more remarkable. Szoboszlai covers an enormous area of the pitch, often helping out defensively as a de facto right-sided six.

Davis was stunned by the sheer volume of work Szoboszlai puts in, saying, “That seems scandalous—the areas he covers, attacking and then almost as a right-back. That just seems obscene.”

Barter reinforced this, adding, “If you look at his off-the-ball metrics for the whole season, it would blow your mind. He’s top of all of them.”

His ability to press and recover is what allows Liverpool to function so effectively. He’s not just about flair—he’s a workhorse too.

Tactical Adjustments and Future Considerations

The discussion also raised the question of how his role could evolve depending on squad changes. With potential departures of key players like Mohamed Salah or Trent Alexander-Arnold, Szoboszlai’s role could see significant tweaks.

Barter noted, “If Trent stays, you do the same. If Mo goes, as we’ve just seen, that’s one of our biggest outlets.” This underscores how crucial he is in Liverpool’s overall tactical framework.

Photo: IMAGO

As it stands, Liverpool’s midfield under Slot appears to have a good balance, with Szoboszlai as the key attacking presence. Davis summarised it well: “They’re all eights, but it’s a complete 30k between them. They’ve got to create this amount of xG and this amount of threat.”

Conclusion: Complete Midfielder in The Making

Szoboszlai’s numbers highlight his growing importance to Liverpool. He brings goal-scoring, creativity, and defensive work-rate all in one package. With 13 goal contributions already this season, his influence is only increasing.

As Barter summed up, “Zone 14—he’s dangerous there. That’s where we want him to be.” And as long as he stays fit, Liverpool fans can expect plenty more game-changing performances from their Hungarian star.