As far as Arne Slott’s Liverpool is concerned, there isn’t much to write home about this season.
That has been difficult for a variety of reasons, with the Reds struggling in the Premier League, losing five of six games. They insist it is too early to make such a judgment at this stage of the campaign, but unless something major changes in the coming weeks and months, Liverpool cannot be considered title contenders.
physical and control. Two core tenets of Premier League midfield are valuable, especially for Liverpool. But Slott’s side lacked both equally worrying measures for much of his previous term.
And with that in mind, we can’t help but remember Gini Wijnaldum’s days in the middle of a park. Because the Dutch player is very much missed right now.
Why Gini Wijnaldum left Liverpool
Wijnaldum has been plying his trade away from Anfield for four years now, and it’s probably fair to say that Liverpool haven’t replaced his profile since then. The 35-year-old was very unique in his style for the Reds.
Liverpool acquired Wijnaldum from Newcastle United in 2016 following relegation from the Premier League. Wijnaldum was one of the outstanding Magpies of the year.
He is an attacking midfielder who was a bright spot in a dark year for Tyneside as they beat Norwich City by four points early in the season. But manager Jurgen Klopp has molded the Dutchman into a hard-working, pressing central midfielder who has become part of the energetic center that has underpinned Liverpool’s spectacular success over the past decade.
Wijnaldum didn’t score often for the Merseysiders, but he was a trump card on several occasions and etched his name into the record books when he scored two goals off the bench in a game. that Night match against Barcelona.
Ginny was the metronome in the middle because he was so cool and calm and calm on the ball. Given that he played consistently in an advanced role during previous spells at Newcastle and PSV Eindhoven, it shows that Klopp’s tactical mind has successfully reshaped into one that contributes more to Liverpool’s project with fewer high-profile moments.
Liverpool will certainly miss him, but Slott has a player in his squad who is starting to show signs of the Dutchman’s former qualities.
New version of Liverpool’s Wijnaldum
Wijnaldum, a ‘version’ of Slott himself, may not be the same stylistically, but he has played a versatile yet singular role in the Anfield side this season.
In comes Dominik Szoboszlai, the shining light in Liverpool’s dismal campaign so far.
The Hungarian has so far been hailed as Liverpool’s ‘player of the season’ by Lewis Steele. Admittedly, the bar is not high, but Szoboszlai ranks high across Europe in terms of individual effort, and has grown as a leader, a tireless source of energy, and a technically skilled engineer.
To say he has improved by leaps and bounds would be a huge understatement, and comes at a time when Liverpool are struggling to bring him in any capacity.
Klopp oversaw the £60m signing of the talented playmaker from RB Leipzig, who beat Newcastle in 2023. Szoboszlai has had many ups and downs in a Liverpool shirt, and has at times been criticized for lacking in end product. At the end of Klopp’s reign, Szoboszlai fell to the bottom of the table, starting just one of the final six Premier League games of the season, and before that he was stuck at half-time in a disastrous home defeat to Crystal Palace.
Led by Dominik Szoboszlai and Arne Slott (Prem) | ||
|---|---|---|
Statistics (* per match) | 24/25 | 25/26 |
Match (start) | 36(29) | 11(11) |
the goal | 6 | 1 |
assist | 6 | 1 |
touch* | 46.1 | 82.6 |
Exact path* | 29.6 (86%) | 52.1 (87%) |
Key pass* | 1.6 | 1.5 |
Dribble (successful)* | 0.6 (55%) | 0.8 (60%) |
collect* | 3.7 | 6.1 |
Tackle + Interception* | 1.4 | 2.7 |
clearance* | 0.4 | 2.5 |
Duel (win)* | 2.8 (43%) | 4.2 (51%) |
Data via Sofascore | ||
Szoboszlai’s role has changed somewhat since Slott stepped into the dugout, but that has become clearer this season as he has never been so involved in a team or given such a starring role in the side, with content creator Jonathan Morley hailing him as a “proper leader” and Liverpool’s star man.
Szoboszlai is a player whose skill and tenacity out of possession, intelligence and vision, and ability to do the right things at the right time make him a unique and valuable part of the system. Maybe it’s Wijnaldum style.
After all, Gini was praised as being “invaluable” to Liverpool. Correspondent Richard Jolly. Although he was not a vocal leader on the field, the former Netherlands international had a calming presence and was redefined upon settling on Merseyside, going on to become a mainstay of the glorious outfit of their era.
Liverpool may not be in the race this season, but they still have a long way to go. Now that Szoboszlai is developing into a slot version of Wijnaldum, a top-class all-action midfielder, the hope will be that the remaining talented players can regain their level and live up to Szoboszlai’s dedication and aspirations.
A free-kick against Arsenal, a performance that sealed the victory against Mikel Arteta’s title challengers earlier in the season and has already earned him Man of the Match multiple times, Szoboszlai is the real deal, he’ll be fine, and when Liverpool find their form, he could reach even greater heights under Slot’s wing.
Szoboszlai has been Liverpool’s standout player this season, tempered by some otherwise dismal performances, but solace can be found in the knowledge that Slott has discovered the club’s latest superstar.
