Dominik Szoboszlai is bullish about furthering his impact at Liverpool next season, attributing a prime part of Arne Slot’s immediate success to the head coach hitting the ground running on Merseyside.
Slot joined an elite group as only the third Liverpool manager to clinch the championship in their maiden full campaign when his side cruised to the Premier League title with four matches to spare last month.
The Hungarian has made 34 appearances in Liverpool’s 36 league fixtures this term — starting 27 — with seven goals and nine assists across all competitions. Slot’s decision to shift him into an attacking midfield role has paid off handsomely.
Yet, the 24-year-old is convinced he hasn’t hit his peak and foresees even greater contributions in the upcoming season. “I think there’s even more in me that’s going to come,” he said.
“I am more often in the box now and more times I’m able to have a chance to score or give an assist. Maybe there’s a little bit more running, but I don’t think a lot.
“You have to work every day to get to your best level. That’s my goal as much in these last three games as of course it was since the beginning of the season.”
(Image: Nikki Dyer – LFC/Liverpool FC via Getty Images)
The midfielder also disclosed that Slot’s candid dealings with players have reaped rewards, fostering team unity and elevating performance levels. Szoboszlai speaks highly of the Dutch tactician.
“I think he has a good relationship with everybody,” he said. “Of course, as a manager, it’s tough because you always have to select your starting 11 and then you have to choose your five substitutes and then you still have 20-25 lads in the squad.
“It is never straightforward for a coach, but I think as a group we can manage it quite well. Like I say, he has a good relationship with everyone, he’s honest with everyone and he will tell you if you are in a good way but he will also tell you if you’re in a bad way.”
Speaking to the official Liverpool matchday programme, Szoboszlai added: “Well, he was a new coach coming in with a new system of playing football, a new idea about playing football.
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“What he had in his head, in his mind, he tried to give everything as soon as possible to the players and see how it worked. And, yes, it looks like it worked!
“It’s unbelievable what he has done and what we have done until now. Although, personally, I think we could have a better season even than this.”
Liverpool.com says: Szoboszlai has done really well this season. The Hungarian needs to get even better in the final third when it comes to goals and assists, but his relentless pressing and energy is vital for Slot.
Jamie Carragher is one of many people to have said that Liverpool needs to find an upgrade in the number 10 position. Szoboszlai, though, offers exactly what Slot demands off the ball — and that is not easy to find.
