Dominik Szoboszlai has sent a strong message to newcomer Florian Wirtz, affirming that he will not surrender his place in the Liverpool starting eleven easily. With Wirtz closing in on a landmark move potentially hitting a whopping £116.5million, expectations are high for him to be a staple in Arne Slot's squad come next season.
The question of where he'll fit into the side hangs in the air as Wirtz is known for his No. 10 role at Bayer Leverkusen and Germany but has also flexed his skills out wide in certain games.
There's buzz around the fact that Slot secured Wirtz by guaranteeing him pole position for the attacking midfield berth, which Szoboszlai excelled in during their trophy-laden run. The 24 year old Hungarian, with six league goals and seven assists under his belt, predominantly occupies central positions, hinting at a potential face-off against Alexis Mac Allister for game time next term.
Yet, Szoboszlai is gearing up for the "difficult" task of vying for his spot on the roster.
In conversation with oghuncrew about whether Wirtz poses a risk to his role, he declared: "No, I don't think so. Of course, if they buy a player for €150m, they probably won't keep him on the bench."
He further challenged the notion of being sidelined, expressing confidence about finding a way to synergize on the pitch: "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 my place easily. I think he knows that getting into a Premier League-winning team is a hard job and takes work."
Ahead of Liverpool's crucial match against Brighton, manager Arne Slot shared insights on Dominik Szoboszlai's preferred role: "Dominik sees his best position as an eight as well, so it will be interesting to see how he does in this position," he said.
Ryan Gravenberch firmly established himself in the holding position under Slot, and with Alexis Mac Allister competing strongly with five goals and assists each from a deeper role, Liverpool are set for a dynamic midfield battle. With another demanding season on the horizon, the Reds' boss can expect to leverage the depth of his squad more effectively than during his first stint.
The wear of a long season showed towards its climax, even though Liverpool managed to secure the title; players like Wataru Endo, who has declared his intention to stay over summer, and Curtis Jones were crucial substitutes and will continue to be pivotal.
Harvey Elliott's future at Anfield hangs in the balance while he concentrates on the Under-21 Euros with England. At the crossroads of his career at age 22, Elliott's next move is keenly anticipated as the transfer window unfolds.
While Szoboszlai may well retain his position alongside Wirtz, Elliott is increasingly being relegated down the pecking order. A loan move could provide a temporary fix, but his quest for consistent playing time might necessitate a permanent departure.