Dominik Szoboszlai was undoubtedly Liverpool’s player of the season, but that doesn’t necessarily correlate to him being the talisman to take the team forward.
In a campaign that Liverpool have given very little joy to supporters, Szoboszlai offered rare sources of excitement with his individual performances and free-kick magic.
At 25 years old, the midfielder has played excellently in midfield and at right-back, but while he is a hard worker who clearly possesses quality, questions remain as to whether he can really be a successful Liverpool leader.
Started53
As Sub0
Unused0
Goals13
Assists12
Total Apps53
The signs were there in the second half of Liverpool’s title-winning campaign that Szoboszlai was growing into a vital part of Arne Slot‘s midfield.
Early in the Dutchman’s reign, Curtis Jones was often preferred as the Reds’ most-advanced midfielder, but as time went on, Szoboszlai’s running power meant he became undroppable.
Liverpool’s disciplined performance away at Man City in February 2025 was capped by a Szoboszlai goal and gave us a glimpse into the near future of the squad’s only improved player from last season to this.
Free-kicks & constant energy: This was Szoboszlai’s best season yet
Dominik Szoboszlai (centre) celebrates scoring their side's first goal during the Premier League match at Anfield, Liverpool. Picture date: Sunday August 31, 2025. (Alamy Photo)
It was apparent from the beginning of the season that Szoboszlai would be the man Liverpool relied on for big moments.
His relentless energy was helping Slot’s side over the line in those first seven games that were won in dramatic fashion.
In a strange turn of events, Liverpool, who conceded more goals than in any 38-game season since 1914/15, were the only team against whom champions Arsenal didn’t score.
The home match vs. Mikel Arteta’s team was marked by a stunning free-kick by Szoboszlai, which was seen by the entire footballing nation on Sky Sports’ Sunday afternoon programming.
After those first seven games, barring the odd piece of nice link-up play between Florian Wirtz and Hugo Ekitike, Szoboszlai’s exploits were the only things keeping fans sane.
FRANKFURT, GERMANY - Wednesday, October 22, 2025: Liverpool's Dominik Szoboszlai celebrates after scoring the fifth goal during the UEFA Champions League match between Eintracht Frankfurt and Liverpool FC at the Waldstadion. (Photo by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)
There were moments of frustration – he has a tendency to slow attacks down through his own actions or urging others to go backwards, for example – but on the whole, Szoboszlai made up for them with moments of fantastic quality.
His important goals at Elland Road, Old Trafford and San Siro gave Liverpool hope as they stumbled along to a fifth-place finish and Champions League quarter-final exit.
With few other options due to injuries for Conor Bradley, Jeremie Frimpong and Joe Gomez, Slot moved Szoboszlai to right-back.
Despite it being an unusual position for him, the No. 8 did an admirable job at full-back as he started 10 games at full-back.
Improving from season to season
Szoboszlai may have played several games at full-back, but it didn’t stop him from increasing his attacking output.
He scored 13 goals and provided 12 assists in all competitions, compared to eight on both counts in the 2024/25 season.
In terms of FotMob‘s Premier League per 90 statistics, he doubled his number of accurate long balls and almost quadrupled his defensive contributions – likely as a result of playing at full-back.
Szoboszlai: League Per 90 Stats
Metric (Per 90) 24/25 25/26
Touches 58.9 83.4
Successful Passes 38.4 53.4
Chances Created 2 2.2
Accurate Long Balls 2 3.6
Defensive Contributions 2.4 9.4
Interceptions 0.3 0.8
Szoboszlai’s ability to drag his team to points, coupled with the fact that he wears No. 8, led to comparisons being drawn with Steven Gerrard.
The way he moves with the ball and strikes it is reminiscent of Liverpool’s former captain, but the 25-year-old lacks in other aspects.
A great player but not a great leader
While he may help drive the team forward on the pitch, he has been as guilty as anyone in displaying a lack of understanding of what Liverpool supporters expect.
pic.twitter.com/hWbhBWwztV
— • (@GeronimoMCI) April 4, 2026
Scoring goals will only get you so far; the Kop wants more than quality. Hard work isn’t an issue for Szoboszlai, but he is missing the comprehension of how to become a Liverpool icon.
Taking issue with away fans after Liverpool limped out of the FA Cup at the Etihad wasn’t a move befitting of a future captain, nor were his multiple social media posts exhibiting the glamour of a millionaire’s lifestyle after defeats.
The Hungarian’s timing of these posts were distasteful; it should have come as no surprise that he received backlash after advertising McDonald’s with a selection of glitzy posts the day after a dismal loss against Aston Villa.
Yes, it is true that he, himself, probably didn’t click publish on these advertisements. However, this wasn’t the only example of misjudging the moment.
Virgil van Dijk hasn’t had this issue, nor have other successful, senior professionals in recent times.
WOLVERHAMPTON, ENGLAND - Tuesday, March 3, 2026: Liverpool's Dominik Szoboszlai during the FA Premier League match between Wolverhampton Wanderers FC and Liverpool FC at Molineux Stadium. (Photo by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)
When Slot was asked about the potential for Szoboszlai to become skipper, the head coach said: “Virgil (Van Dijk) is with us for the next season so let’s not look ahead too far.
“He’s a captain for the national team so that already tells you that he has it in him, but as I said, Virgil is still here next season and the future of a manager is usually only three days, so looking even further than this season, that’s a bit too much.”
While this was the best individual season of his career to date, it was a campaign that will hopefully have acted as a learning opportunity, too.
Szoboszlai may have been the standout player on the pitch, but he hasn’t yet shown he has the maturity of a leader to follow.
Best moment: A sublime piece of technical skill to score his free-kick against Man City.
Worst moment: Shrugging at away fans who had just watched Liverpool produce a terrible display, losing 4-0 against Man City in the FA Cup.
Role next season: One of the first names on the team sheet, hopefully Szoboszlai is just as good and can mature next season, too.
From a team perspective, though, fans will want some of his responsibility for goals will shift towards Liverpool’s actual attackers.