One thing has modified with Dominik Szoboszlai this season, with the Liverpool midfielder dropping his menace from vary. So what has occurred to his capturing?
The primary story of Liverpool’s current 2-0 win over Aston Villa was the Reds going 5 factors clear on the high of the league.
But additionally of be aware was an absentee from the beginning lineup: Dominik Szoboszlai.
He had introduced himself for the membership on this fixture a yr prior, scoring an excellent long-range strike that reminded a lot of a sure earlier Liverpool No. 8.
Quick-forward to now, and people long-range strikes have disappeared. Szoboszlai is goalless within the league this season, with Curtis Jones pushing to start out in his place.
Arne Slot has gone on document saying: “For an attacking midfielder at Liverpool, his numbers have to go up.”
So what’s occurring with Szoboszlai in entrance of purpose?
Cracking debut
Like a barnstorming debut album, Szoboszlai’s first season was well-received at Anfield. His onerous working and long-range stunners revitalised a drained midfield beat and bought the folks off their ft.
Forty-three of his 60 pictures in complete got here from outdoors the realm, highlighting his proclivity to shoot from vary.
But regardless of some screamers within the cup competitions, that Villa effort was his solely long-range purpose within the league all season.
Below new administration, Szoboszlai is now capturing much less typically and nearer to purpose, with the standard of his possibilities being noticeably increased.
This shift is just not distinctive to him. Final season, Liverpool have been coached to “play the primary move forwards.” This squeezed the opposition again and invited extra pictures from lengthy vary.
There have been some improbable objectives and moments because of this. However it was unsustainable throughout the season: Liverpool have been second backside of the league for xG versus objectives scored – netting 80 objectives from an xG of 87.8.
Regardless of making a excessive quantity of possibilities, the relative high quality of stated possibilities have been low, and it proved pricey.
Below Slot, Liverpool at the moment are extra prone to maintain the ball longer and wait till the decisive ahead move turns into accessible. This invitations stress from the opposition, opening up gaps within the last third for the forwards to take advantage of.
Because of this, Liverpool are taking fewer pictures, however from nearer to the purpose, leading to extra sustainable scoring in keeping with anticipated objectives.
To date this has been nice for Liverpool, nevertheless it’s but to translate right into a Premier League purpose for Szoboszlai. Why is that?
Evolving the sound
Szoboszlai’s exploits from distance have been little shock to those that adopted him within the Bundesliga.
In his last two seasons at RB Leipzig he took 102 makes an attempt on purpose, with 62 of them coming from outdoors the field. Nonetheless, these strikes yielded simply three objectives.
Slot’s imaginative and prescient for him is much less thrilling, nevertheless it does make a variety of sense. He’s tall, sturdy, fast and clever – in a position to help the midfield in opposition to the ball, both by main the press in a 4-4-2 form or dropping off to trace runners.
But additionally, having him perform as a second striker means he can drift into house on the assault earlier than storming into the field late and ending possibilities.
We noticed a glimpse of this within the opening sport in opposition to Ipswich. Right here, he finds right into a pocket of house with the ball out huge.
This enables him to lose his marker, but in addition be able to defend the counter if Ipswich gained the ball. As an alternative, Liverpool break, and he activates the fuel.
He gestures to obtain the ball…
…however strikes it in opposition to his personal teammate.
One other instance got here within the slender win over Wolves. Because the assault pours forwards, he pushes as much as the final line alongside the striker.
However the ball by no means comes. He drops off, discovering his house once more, till the ball is labored huge a second time. This time, the cross is available in, and he’s prepared…
…solely to fireplace it in opposition to goalkeeper Sam Johnstone from point-blank vary.
His good motion and athleticism permit him to get into these high-value positions. With a bit extra composure, these possibilities will change into objectives – finally.
Early verdict
Szoboszlai did discover the web within the Champions League, scoring Liverpool’s third in opposition to AC Milan.
It’s an analogous scenario: along with his workforce breaking down the flank in house, Szoboszlai comes hurtling into the field.
However on this event, he stutters only one step…
…delaying his arrival by half a second. It buys him a tiny bit extra space when the ball is available in…
…and permits him to transform.
This type of clever motion exhibits he’s rising into his position. Moving into these positions is the onerous half – over time, the objectives are prone to comply with.
It’s additionally value declaring that Szoboszlai will get by means of an unimaginable quantity of labor off the ball, too.
Like he did in opposition to Ipswich, he should drop off as assaults develop to seek out house. However this additionally means he’s set to trace again if the opponent is ready to win the ball and counter.
As Szoboszlai stated himself: “I can rating extra objectives, I can provide extra assists, however I’m doing the ‘soiled job’ as properly for the workforce and that’s the most vital factor to me. Whereas we’re high of the league and I don’t rating any objectives, I’ll take it.”
Whereas these long-range bangers created some hits on his debut document, Szoboszlai’s redeployment as a second striker is producing extra constant, extra invaluable possibilities.
As soon as these translate into objectives, it ought to see his extra mature second album obtain even larger success.
