Dominik Szoboszlai was once again playing out of position for Liverpool in their Premier League defeat at home to Nottingham Forest on Saturday
Liverpool head coach Arne Slot with midfielder Dominik Szoboszlai(Image: Max Maiwald/DeFodi Images/DeFodi via Getty Images)
Dominik Szoboszlai admits he isn’t entirely sure why he has become Liverpool’s Mr Versatile as he once again answered the call from Arne Slot at the weekend. Szoboszlai has been the Reds’ best performer of a difficult season predominantly when playing in a preferred central midfield role.
The Hungary international, though, spent part of the early weeks playing as an emergency right-back due to fitness concerns over Jeremie Frimpong and Conor Bradley, and was compelled to return to the role on Saturday with the duo ruled out of the dismal 3-0 Premier League home defeat to Nottingham Forest.
With Frimpong and Bradley likely sidelined for the next three weeks, Szoboszlai will again be an option at right-back for Reds boss Slot when PSV Eindhoven visit in the Champions League on Wednesday.
OPINION
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And when asked for a reason he is trusted to play in a number of positions, the 25-year-old said: “To be honest, I don’t know. You have to ask my managers. I think it comes from growing up playing as a central midfielder.
“In my opinion, a central midfielder can play any position on the pitch a lot easier. The midfield is where a lot of the action happens in training and in the matches.
“You always have to be ready in that position so if you play wider, you will feel like you have a lot more time on the ball and a lot more space ahead of you straight away.
“When I play as a right-back I think that’s one of the reasons why I can solve these situations.”
Liverpool are in a difficult period having lost six of their last seven Premier League games in defence of the title they lifted in May, and beaten eight times in 11 in all competitions.
And Szoboszlai said: “There are always difficult moments on and off the pitch. It always changes. Sometimes the team needs you, sometimes they don’t. Sometimes you’re in great form, sometimes you’re not.
“It’s always up to you how you react. I feel like so far, I’ve been able to deal with difficult times quite well and I hope that continues.”
Speaking to World Soccer magazine, Szoboszlai also addressed what he had learned from his time working under Slot following the appointment of the Dutchman in place of Jurgen Klopp 18 months ago.
“Many things,” he said. “From how to play between the lines, making runs from deep or arriving in front of the goal from open play. Honestly, he has taught me a lot of things.”
And on comparing Slot with his predecessor, Szoboszlai added:
“They’re different managers. I don’t want to go into tactics but both of them are great managers, and I owe a lot to them. I will forever be grateful to both.”
