Speaker A
Liverpool against Forest proved to me that Dominik Szoboszlai cannot be the future of Liverpool's central midfield.
A Liverpool fan argues Szoboszlai isn't a true central midfielder, suggesting Endo and Gravenberch as a double pivot and a wide or half-space role for him.
Key Takeaways
- Szoboszlai is better suited to wide or half-space attacking roles than central midfield.
- Endo and Gravenberch as a double pivot could provide Liverpool the most midfield stability.
- Liverpool may need to sign a new midfielder if the current central midfield options do not settle by January.
What the video covers
- The speaker argues Dominik Szoboszlai cannot be Liverpool's long-term central midfielder, following the Liverpool vs Forest match.
- He suggests Endo and Gravenberch should be used together as a double pivot for stability in possession and defensive transitions.
- Mac Allister is praised for his influential on-ball play, including slide-through passes, though he is seen as less impactful off the ball.
- Szoboszlai is said to be most effective when drifting into wide areas, as seen during his time at Leipzig and with Hungary.
- His crossing ability is highlighted as a key way he influences games from wide positions.
- The speaker questions whether Szoboszlai, given his ego, will accept a long-term right-back role that Liverpool have considered.
- He believes Szoboszlai lacks the ability to dictate play and the defensive intelligence required for a central midfield role despite his work rate.
- The speaker says Szoboszlai is being forced into two roles, right-back and central midfield, where he is inconsistent.
- He recommends a system where Szoboszlai plays as a wide midfielder or attacking midfielder drifting into half-spaces.
- He suggests Liverpool either sign a new midfielder or give Endo and Gravenberch a chance to cement the double pivot by January.
Chapters
- 00:00Introduction: Szoboszlai's Midfield Future
- 00:07Proposing Endo and Gravenberch as a Double Pivot
- 00:20Mac Allister's Influence Analysis
- 00:28Szoboszlai's Strengths in Wide Areas
- 00:48Right-Back Role and Player Ego Concerns
- 00:54Recommended System and Tactical Fit
- 01:08Defensive Concerns and Dual-Role Problem
- 01:18Transfer Options and Closing Remarks
Full Transcript — Download SRT & Markdown
Speaker A
I'm surprised that Endo and Gravenberch haven't been used together as a double pivot yet because I think they'll give Liverpool the most stability both in terms of control of possession, but also managing negative transition from a defensive perspective. I think today Mac
Speaker A
Allister on the ball was influential. You know, slide through passes was good. I think off the ball he wasn't particularly that influential.
Speaker A
I think Szoboszlai I don't know. He doesn't really have a control of the game and I think he's more influential when he drifts out to wider areas. If you look at his time, you know, at Leipzig playing as a wide
Speaker A
midfielder, that's when he was at his best. And when he plays for Hungary, he plays as a number 10, but he likes to drift out into wide areas, use his crossing ability to influence the game.
Speaker A
I know Liverpool want to use him as a right back. Yes, but long-term will a player of Szoboszlai's ego accept that?
Speaker A
Probably not. So, you need to have a system in place where he plays as a wide midfielder or a attacking midfielder that drifts into half spaces. He's not a central central midfielder. Doesn't really have the ability to dictate the
Speaker A
game. Defensively, I think while he has a lot of work rate, I'm not sure he's got the defensive IQ to to to manage that. Um so, for me, he's he he's being forced into two roles. He's being forced
Speaker A
into right back, which he can be good at. He's being forced into central midfield where he's hit and miss. Uh I think Liverpool need to if they're not going to sign a new midfielder, and gamble on these two in central midfield,
Speaker A
let's see what they do by January. If they don't, you know, cement a spot as a double pivot in midfield, they're going to have to bring in another body in midfield. Let me know in the comments below whether you think Szoboszlai
Speaker A
should be still a central midfielder for
Topics:LiverpoolSzoboszlaicentral midfielddouble pivotEndoGravenberchMac Allistertactics analysisPremier Leaguehalf-spaces
