Arne Slot has ‘Completely Transformed’ This Liverpool Star – “He’s a Machine” | OneFootball

How Arne Slot has Transformed Dominik Szoboszlai’s Liverpool Career

Initially signed from RB Leipzig as a flashy, skilful, goalscoring attacking midfielder, Dominik Szoboszlai has become one of the driving force behind Liverpool’s success under the guidance of Arne Slot.

Rewind to the end of the 2023-24 season, pressure was mounting on the Hungarian after a run of sub-par performances. As Jurgen Klopp’s farewell tour began to falter, the Hungarian seriously struggled in the 3-0 battering to Atalanta in the UEFA Europa League and the crushing 2-0 defeat to Everton in the Merseyside Derby.

Now he finds himself in the midst of a run of form that could be about to push Liverpool over the line in the race to win their second Premier League title in five years. In the past few days alone, Szoboszlai has scored crucial goals against Manchester City and Newcastle United to extend the Reds’ lead at the top of table to 13 points.

However, as we have learned with Szoboszlai, these goals only tell half of the story…

Photo: IMAGO

The Driving Force

Under Klopp, Szoboszlai was mostly utilised as an eight on the right-side of a fairly flat midfield three. After a hugely impressive start to his Liverpool career, he seemingly gassed out, especially after suffering an injury at the start of the 2024.

However, Slot now uses the Hungarian as an out-and-out attacking midfielder and often combining with the central forward in a double press. His sheer physical presence and tenacity have often been the difference in crucial games for the Reds this season.

Whilst that has been hugely effective out of possession, it has also allowed Szoboszlai to regularly take up more threatening positions in attack.

The Hungarian has already matched his goal record from last season, with seven goals, but has already beaten the number of assists he notched last season, currently on six.

With seven goals and six assists to his name already, he could easily be on track to reach double figures for goals and grab another couple of assists. That level of output, along with his immense work rate and defensive actions, make him such a pivotal cog in this Arne Slot system.

Performance vs Newcastle United

His Man of the Match performance in the 2-0 victory over Newcastle United was a prime example of his importance to this side. Playing his fifth game in 15 days, Szoboszlai absolutely bossed Newcastle United’s incredibly physical midfield and also scored the opener in the game.

As well as scoring the opening goal, he also made two key passes and was the constant link between Liverpool’s midfield pivot and their frightening front line.

However, his defensive numbers were simply world-class too. Szoboszlai won seven of his nine ground duels, made five tackles and two clearances. You simply will not see another attacking midfielder in Europe regularly putting up those numbers.

He’s an absolute machine.