One thing has modified with Dominik Szoboszlai this season, with the Liverpool midfielder shedding his menace from vary. So what has occurred to his taking pictures?
The primary story of Liverpool’s current 2-0 win over Aston Villa was the Reds going 5 factors clear on the prime of the league.
But in addition of notice was an absentee from the beginning lineup: Dominik Szoboszlai.
He had introduced himself for the membership on this fixture a 12 months prior, scoring an outstanding long-range strike that reminded lots 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 file saying: “For an attacking midfielder at Liverpool, his numbers must go up.”
So what’s occurring with Szoboszlai in entrance of aim?
Cracking debut
Like a barnstorming debut album, Szoboszlai’s first season was well-received at Anfield. His laborious operating and long-range stunners revitalised a drained midfield beat and received the individuals off their toes.
Forty-three of his 60 photographs in whole got here from exterior 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 aim within the league all season.
Underneath new administration, Szoboszlai is now taking pictures much less usually and nearer to aim, with the standard of his possibilities being noticeably greater.
This shift just isn’t distinctive to him. Final season, Liverpool had been coached to “play the primary cross forwards.” This squeezed the opposition again and invited extra photographs from lengthy vary.
There have been some implausible objectives and moments in consequence. Nevertheless it was unsustainable throughout the season: Liverpool had 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 had been low, and it proved expensive.
Underneath Slot, Liverpool are actually extra more likely to hold the ball longer and wait till the decisive ahead cross turns into out there. This invitations stress from the opposition, opening up gaps within the closing third for the forwards to use.
In consequence, Liverpool are taking fewer photographs, however from nearer to the aim, leading to extra sustainable scoring consistent with anticipated objectives.
To this point this has been nice for Liverpool, but it surely’s but to translate right into a Premier League aim for Szoboszlai. Why is that?
Evolving the sound
Szoboszlai’s exploits from distance had been little shock to those that adopted him within the Bundesliga.
In his closing two seasons at RB Leipzig he took 102 makes an attempt on aim, with 62 of them coming from exterior the field. Nevertheless, these strikes yielded simply three objectives.
Slot’s imaginative and prescient for him is much less thrilling, but it surely does make lots of sense. He’s tall, sturdy, fast and clever – capable of help the midfield towards the ball, both by main the press in a 4-4-2 form or dropping off to trace runners.
But in addition, having him operate as a second striker means he can drift into area on the assault earlier than storming into the field late and ending possibilities.
We noticed a glimpse of this within the opening sport towards Ipswich. Right here, he finds right into a pocket of area with the ball out broad.
This permits him to lose his marker, but additionally be able to defend the counter if Ipswich received the ball. As a substitute, Liverpool break, and he activates the gasoline.
He gestures to obtain the ball…
…however strikes it towards his personal teammate.
One other instance got here within the slim 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 area once more, till the ball is labored broad a second time. This time, the cross is available in, and he’s prepared…
…solely to fireplace it towards goalkeeper Sam Johnstone from point-blank vary.
His sensible motion and athleticism enable him to get into these high-value positions. With slightly extra composure, these possibilities will develop into objectives – finally.
Early verdict
Szoboszlai did discover the online within the Champions League, scoring Liverpool’s third towards AC Milan.
It’s the same state of affairs: together with his workforce breaking down the flank in area, 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 more room when the ball is available in…
…and permits him to transform.
This type of clever motion reveals he’s rising into his function. Entering into these positions is the laborious half – over time, the objectives are more likely to observe.
It’s additionally price mentioning that Szoboszlai will get by way of an unimaginable quantity of labor off the ball, too.
Like he did towards Ipswich, he should drop off as assaults develop to search out area. 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 may give 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 prime 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 file, Szoboszlai’s redeployment as a second striker is producing extra constant, extra precious possibilities.
As soon as these translate into objectives, it ought to see his extra mature second album obtain even better success.
