Dominik Szoboszlai has reacted the looming club-record arrival of Florian Wirtz at Liverpool
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Dominik Szoboszlai of Hungary vies with Florian Wirtz of Germany during the UEFA EURO 2024 group stage match between Germany and Hungary at Stuttgart Arena
Dominik Szoboszlai of Hungary vies with Florian Wirtz of Germany during the UEFA EURO 2024 group stage match between Germany and Hungary at Stuttgart Arena
(Image: 2024 Stefan Matzke - sampics)
Dominik Szoboszlai has warned Florian Wirtz he has no intention of giving up his place in the Liverpool starting XI without a fight. The Hungarian was Arne Slot’s first-choice at number 10 for the majority of the Reds’ Premier League title-winning campaign.
The 24-year-old - who joined Liverpool from RB Leipzig in a £60m deal in the summer of 2023 - made 49 appearances in all competitions last season. Starting 40 times, the Hungary captain returned eight goals and eight assists to help the Reds win the title.
However, Liverpool are now closing in on the signing of a new attacking midfielder in Wirtz.
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The Reds have agreed a club-record deal with Bayer Leverkusen, worth up to a British record fee of £116m, with the German set to undergo a medical on Friday ahead of completing his move to Anfield.
Szoboszlai has now reacted to the imminent transfer, insisting that he is not concerned that Wirtz could take his place.
“No, I don’t think so,” he replied, via oghuncrew, when asked if he was ‘afraid’ of the arrival of the German. “Of course, if they buy a player for €150m they probably won’t keep him on the bench.
“But then we have to find a way to play together.
“If you say that it will be difficult for me, then we’ll wait and see how it will be after pre-season. In the end, you might be right but I don’t give up easily.
“I think he knows that getting into a Premier League-winning team is a hard job and takes work.”
While Szoboszlai predominantly played as a number 10 last season, Arne Slot did use him in a deeper role for Liverpool’s penultimate game of the campaign away at Brighton & Hove Albion.
"Dominik is playing as an eight, with Ryan (Gravenberch) as a six and Harvey (Elliott) a bit more forward,” the Dutchman explained ahead of the game. “Dominik sees his best position as an eight as well, so it will be interesting to see how he does in this position."
Consequently, the Hungarian is set to compete for starting opportunities in both positions alongside the likes of Wirtz, Alexis Mac Allister and Curtis Jones.
However, the arrival of the German could be bad news for Harvey Elliott. The playmaker - who is currently away with England Under-21s at the European Championships - was already limited to a bit-part role last season after finding himself behind Szoboszlai in the pecking order at number 10.
The 22-year-old, who missed three months of the season with a fractured foot, struggled for game-time following his return from injury. Making 28 appearances in all competitions, Elliott started only twice in the Premier League under Slot - with both outings coming after the title was already won.
With Wirtz now increasing the competition for places, the midfielder has already suggested he could be forced to leave Liverpool this summer as he weighs up his options.