If Liverpool can escape the City Ground this weekend with three points in the Premier League, manager Arne Slott will have taken a huge step towards convincing Reds fans that his side are set for a comeback.
The truth is that Liverpool’s problems run deeper and the solutions are more complex than any single outcome, but fans, the board and the coaching staff all agree that the Anfield side cannot afford to miss out on Champions League qualification.
For the struggling champion to win, he will need to be “near perfect,” as Slott admitted last week.
That might be possible if Dominik Szoboszlai plays like he does, but keeping the Hungarian superstar around long term is another matter.
Liverpool could sign dream Szoboszlai replacement
Liverpool’s all-round inspirational midfielder scored his 10th goal of the season in the FA Cup win over Brighton, heading home after Mohamed Salah and Codi Gakpo.
While claims that the 24-year-old has moved into Steven Gerrard territory may be a bit misplaced, there is no doubt that his performances and the circumstances surrounding his rise show certain similarities.
But Europe’s elite certainly see Szoboszlai as a potential talisman for them, with Real Madrid recently showing interest as FSG look to tie him down to a new deal.
Liverpool will despair at the prospect, but Aston Villa’s Morgan Rodgers has been named as his replacement should they lose another superstar to the Whites.
According to TEAMtalk earlier this month, Liverpool are in talks with representatives to sign the England international ahead of the summer transfer window.
The Reds are expected to have strong competition from divisional rivals Chelsea, Manchester United and Tottenham Hotspur, with Unai Emery and his staff targeting a price tag of around £87m for the 23-year-old.
What Morgan Rodgers brings to Liverpool
Rodgers has gone from strength to strength since leaving Middlesbrough in the Championship and signing for Aston Villa in January 2023. He has developed into one of his country’s star players.
Last year, the powerful and athletic forward scored 14 goals and provided 16 assists across all competitions. This year, he has been involved in 17 goals in 37 games, which will be crucial in Unai Emery’s bid for silver.
Given his youth, Rodgers could become Liverpool’s best signing since Szoboszlai’s £60m move from RB Leipzig in 2023, providing Slot with a world-class number 10 for years to come.
25/26 PL Stats – Rodgers vs Szoboszlai | ||
|---|---|---|
Statistics (per 90) | rogers | Soboshra |
Match (start) | 26(26) | 24(24) |
Goal + Assist | 8+5 | 4+2 |
touch* | 48.2 | 84.1 |
Number of shots (on target)* | 2.2 (0.9) | 2.0 (0.7) |
Exact path* | 21.0 (75%) | 53.8 (88%) |
A big opportunity has arisen | 10 | 5 |
Key pass* | 1.3 | 1.8 |
Successful. dribble* | 1.1 | 0.9 |
Ball recovery rate* | 3.5 | 5.1 |
Tackle* | 1.1 | 1.5 |
Win a duel* | 4.3 | 3.6 |
Szoboszlai hasn’t vastly outperformed his positional rivals in the Premier League this season, and statistics don’t easily define the level of the Hungarian star, but there is no doubt that Rodgers has the energy and intensity to shatter expectations should he move to Anfield in 2026.
Given that Rodgers is different in profile to other playmakers such as Florian Wertz and Curtis Jones, there is a good chance he will develop an on-field relationship with them, and his speed and power as a left winger would also see him challenge Cody Gakpo for a starting spot down the channel.
Rodgers has been in great form this season against title-chasing Villa and looks set to get even better in the coming years.
Losing Szoboszlai will be a blow for the Merseysiders, but signing the Three Lions superstar would be a great way to ease the pain.
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