Florian Wirtz is set to complete a potentially record-breaking move to Liverpool this week after the Premier League champions agreed a deal that could reach up to £116 million with add-ons. One man who could be worried about his starting place is attacking midfielder Dominik Szoboszlai.
The Hungarian was primarily used in the number 10 role during Arne Slot's debut season at Anfield, a change from his deeper role under Jurgen Klopp. Wirtz, while a versatile player capable of playing in any attacking role, could well be signing to make that position his own.
Therefore, it would theoretically be Szoboszlai on the chopping block, with the German not being brought in as a squad option. However, the man himself doesn't quite see it that way. Liverpool's number eight was asked whether he's afraid of potential competition for a starting place, and he had an interesting answer.
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Dominik Szoboszlai Ready to Fight For Liverpool Place
'I don’t give up easily'
When asked whether he thinks his place in Slot's XI could be taken by the Liverpool-bound German, Szoboszlai replied: "No, I don’t think so." He then went on to admit the transfer fee will make Wirtz a definite starter, while sending his soon-to-be teammate a slight warning that he won't give up his spot easily:
"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."
The 24-year-old is confident in his own ability and his importance to the reigning English champions. Explaining any new signing will need to earn their place, he added: "I think he knows that getting into a Premier League-winning team is a hard job and takes work."
Arne Slot Has Hinted at Szoboszlai's New Liverpool Role
'It will be interesting to see'
While it's unclear exactly where Wirtz fits into Slot's system at Anfield, the Dutchman has already presented a possible option to fit both the 22-year-old and Szoboszlai into his starting XI. In the penultimate game of the 2024-25 season, the Reds travelled to Brighton, and the Hungarian played in a deeper role. His manager explained (per the Liverpool Echo):
"Dominik is playing as an eight, with Ryan (Gravenberch) as a six and Harvey (Elliott) a bit more forward.
"Dominik sees his best position as an eight as well, so it will be interesting to see how he does in this position."
The next headache would then be whether Szoboszlai takes the place of either Alexis Mac Allister or Ryan Gravenberch in the engine room. It's a headache for Slot, but a good one for the Liverpool boss.
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