Conor Bradley and Dominik Szoboszlai sent the perfect message to Arne Slot against Brighton as Liverpool prepares for life without Trent Alexander-Arnold.
The academy graduate has of course already confirmed he will be leaving the Reds this summer, with a move to Real Madrid now looking just a matter of time. Whether he will join the Spanish giant in time for the Club World Cup remains an issue that needs to be resolved though.
And Alexander-Arnold’s impending departure has not gone down well with Liverpool supporters, who made their feelings known as they booed the 26-year-old after coming off the bench against Arsenal.
Nevertheless, Slot has vowed to keep using his current vice-captain in the Reds’ remaining games should he wish to do so, and Alexander-Arnold was once again named on the bench against for the penultimate game of the season against Brighton.
Amid conversations about how Liverpool will be able to replicate Alexander-Arnold’s creativity, with Jeremie Frimpong looking set to join the club from Bayer Leverkusen, Slot will have been greatly encouraged by what he saw from his current crop of players at the Amex Stadium.
The Reds took an early lead as Harvey Elliott bundled the ball home following some great work-up play, with Szoboszlai and Bradley heavily involved.
(Image: Getty Images)
The former sprayed a long cross-field ball – a trademark of Alexander-Arnold’s – to Mohamed Salah on the right, who in turn played it on to Bradley.
The Northern Ireland international – who signed a new four-year deal with Liverpool at the weekend – then bustled his way into the penalty area before laying the ball on a plate to Elliott, who just had to provide the finishing touch to put Liverpool ahead.
And after Yasin Ayari brought Brighton back level, Szoboszlai would make another vital contribution, with the Hungarian catching Bart Verbruggen out with an audacious shot from the right to put Liverpool back ahead.
The goals may well ease some fears that have arisen ahead of Alexander-Arnold’s departure. It could also point to Szoboszlai’s role changing should Slot make more additions to his squad.
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It’s a theory that Jamie Carragher suggested amid ongoing links with Leverkusen’s Florian Wirtz.
“I’ve had this thing with Szoboszlai, I actually think he’s got the qualities for central midfield,” Carragher said on Sky Sports ahead of the Brighton game.
“When you describe his energy, it’s more what he does off the ball rather than what he does on the ball, and Liverpool are getting linked with a guy from Bayer Leverkusen.
“What might be interesting is, let’s say for instance that deal got done, Szoboszlai’s energy is vitally important to Liverpool. I think, could you do with that energy in central midfield?”
