Dominik Szoboszlai has been speaking about the one thing he has changed his mind about since joining Liverpool.
Expectations were high when Dominik Szoboszlai arrived on the doors at the AXA training centre. They became even higher when he decided to wear the number eight shirt.
However, Szoboszlai hasn’t disappointed so far. He’s settled into Jurgen Klopp’s system with ease, and has become a fan favourite for his desire and energy on the pitch.
He’s also contributed with plenty of goals. So far this season he already has seven, which is the most from Liverpool’s midfield this season.
His total goal contributions of 11, is also just two behind Alexis Mac Allister, who is on 13.
As first seasons go in a new league and a new team, this has been a solid start, and Szoboszlai still has more to build on the with the possibility of 13 games left from now until the end of the season.
Szoboszlai’s new role at Liverpool
Before signing for Liverpool, Szoboszlai has spent the majority of his club career playing in more advanced positions.
At RB Leipzig he played as an inverted winger/attacking midfielder on the left flank in his last season at the club. At Red Bull Salzburg he also played in a similar role.
He has been used to playing further forward in number ten roles. However, at Liverpool he’s been asked to play as a number eight and play a lot deeper.
The fact that he has still managed to notch up 11 goal contributions, including seven goals from open play, is impressive in itself.
But there is no denying the best is yet to come. He’s still adapting to his new role, and warming up to the idea of playing even deeper in the future.
Szoboszlai on what he changed his mind about
Earlier in the season while I was working for Liverpool.com, I spoke exclusively to Hungarian national team manager, Marco Rossi.
In that interview Rossi compared Szoboszlai to Andrea Pirlo, and said he had the potential to play as a number six. Now, in an interview with Astro Super Sport, Szoboszlai has been asked to address those comparisons.
Whereas before the Hungarian has showed a bit of reticence about playing in a deeper role, he has seemed to have warmed up to the idea.
“He talked to me always about Pirlo, that I could be the next Pirlo and these things,” Szoboszlai said.
“He knows that I didn’t like to play defensive midfielder but with the time now, I play here also a little bit more defensive and I probably like it, maybe.
“So with the time it goes and goes, I could think about it. If they put me there then I could be the next Pirlo. But I don’t want to be the next Pirlo, of course, great player – he’s a legend – but I still want to do my own way.”
Szoboszlai’s honest thoughts about playing deeper
Although in the same interview Szoboszlai admitted his preference would still be to play further forward for Liverpool. Even if in the future that preference might change.
“If it has to be [playing deeper], yes,” Szoboszlai said.
“If it’s my choice I stay like how it is now. I can attack and I can defend so I am going to do both until I can. At the end, I will see if I lose my power a little bit when I’m getting older I will chose if I want to attack more or defend more. But time will tell.
“So I will not think about it now. If the manager put me a little bit [more] defensive I am going to play there. If he puts me a little bit [more] offensive I am going to play there.”