Liverpool have lost four games from four in the Premier League, and Arne Slot has a lot of work to do to turn their poor form around – and that includes using one of his stars properly, having registered better creative stats than Bruno Fernandes.
Five wins in a row to begin the season saw Liverpool set the pace in the Premier League, but consecutive defeats to Crystal Palace, Chelsea, Manchester United and Brentford have all of a sudden flung them down to seventh place in the table.
It’s a worrying statistic, especially being beaten soundly by the Bees on Saturday evening, and Arne Slot now has a seven-point gap to make up in the table.
[
Click to subscribe to the podcast ](https://www.youtube.com/@BeyondTheBackFour?sub_confirmation=1)
But the Dutch gaffer could remedy that by playing Dominik Szoboszlai in his natural position after a promising statistic was brought to light on the Hungarian.
Dominik Szoboszlai celebrates after scoring vs Arsenal
Photo by Liverpool FC/Liverpool FC via Getty Images
Liverpool star Dominik Szoboszlai has created better than Bruno Fernandes this season
Dominik Szoboszlai signed for Liverpool in 2023, but he didn’t exactly set the Premier League alight in his first season at Anfield with just 12 goal contributions, six of which came in the Premier League.
Last season was a marked improvement under Arne Slot, registering 17 goal contributions in all competitions and 13 in the Premier League, beating his overall record from the season prior.
But despite this season starting in an even more positive manner, Arne Slot needs to start using the former RB Leipzig star in a more central role.
Most successful final third passes in the Premier League this season:
◉ 156 – Elliot Anderson
◉ 154 – Dominik Szoboszlai
◉ 143 – Bruno Fernandes
◉ 137 – Morgan Gibbs-White
◉ 132 – Tijjani Reijnders pic.twitter.com/VoScDNjxTH
— WhoScored (@WhoScored) October 27, 2025
View Tweet
Szoboszlai has one goal and two assists in the Champions League, but has played at right-back on occasion in the Premier League, failing to produce from out wide barring Szoboszlai’s 30-yard free-kick vs Arsenal.
One statistic really put that into perspective.
Only Nottingham Forest’s England star Elliot Anderson ranks better than the 25-year-old in terms of successful passes in the final third in the Premier League this season, but Szoboszlai does rank ahead of Bruno Fernandes, Morgan Gibbs-White and Tijjani Reijnders who make up the top five.
If Slot can utilise Szoboszlai correctly, it could solve Liverpool’s goalscoring downfalls.
Liverpool v Athletic Club Bilbao - Pre-Season Friendly
Photo by Liverpool FC/Liverpool FC via Getty Images
Dominik Szoboszlai’s talents for Hungary and Liverpool make Arne Slot’s decision baffling
Dominik Szoboszlai has shown he can produce in the final third for Hungary, and Slot needs to make use of his talents.
Hungary boss Marco Rossi has even stated that Szoboszlai is ‘one of the best midfielders in the world’, and he won’t say that lightly given that he is their star player.
Oddly, Slot utilised Szoboszlai in midfield throughout last season in the Premier League, and his goal against Arsenal showed his capabilities in front of goal.
Liverpool have only scored five goals in their past four games, nowhere near enough to mount a title challenge, and it would also take the onus off of their leaky defence.
A title-winning season is still salvageable, but more must be done to achieve that – starting with Szoboszlai being used in midfield behind the striker.