Liverpool will be back in pre-season training next week and the Andoni Iraola era will finally begin after a frustrating 12 months.
There will be plenty of intrigue surrounding the preparations for the new season, with a fresh football philosophy set to be implemented and the potential for both new signings and familiar faces to make their first impressions on the new manager.
Although the likes of Alexis Mac Allister and Alisson Becker are not expected to return to Merseyside for at least the next two weeks following their World Cup participation, midfielder Dominik Szoboszlai has enjoyed a full summer to reset after a disappointing campaign.
The Hungarian international has had the opportunity to reflect on the last 12 months without the distraction of tournament football and has now spoken about the past, the present and the future at Liverpool.
Dominik Szoboszlai on his positional roles
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It is no secret that Arne Slot relied heavily on Szoboszlai to fill in the gaps at right-back on more than one occasion, with the Hungarian becoming one of his most trusted players throughout last season.
While the box-to-box midfielder adapted impressively to the unfamiliar role, Liverpool often missed his energy and creativity in the centre of the pitch.
His willingness to sacrifice his preferred position for the team highlighted his professionalism, but it also limited his influence further forward.
Remaining open-minded about his role in the squad, Szoboszlai revealed to [L’Equipe](https://www.lequipe.fr/France-Football/Article/Dominik-szoboszlai-j-ai-trop-d-ego-plus-on-veut-me-signifier-que-je-ne-vais-pas-y-arriver-plus-je-prends-un-malin-plaisir-a-donner-tort/1701876):
“I could easily say ‘I don’t want to play full-back; either you put me in midfield, or I’m not playing’,” he said. “But I don’t do that because I want to help my team however I can. It’s a team sport.
“Ultimately, I want to win, no matter where I’m asked to play. Some might say you’re perhaps too nice… I’m a team player. I’m not too nice, believe me!”
“Honestly, moving from midfield to full-back really isn’t difficult. In midfield, you need a panoramic view because the play – and the opponents – can come from anywhere, whereas at full-back, it’s pretty binary: if there’s no one in front of me, I’m free; if there’s an opponent, I’m not. Simple.
“But my preferred position is box-to-box midfielder, because I have every option: playing short or long, running with the ball, making runs off the ball, shooting from distance, or dropping in closer.”
Dominik Szoboszlai on his expectations for the season
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The 25-year-old is one of four Liverpool players currently under contract until 2028, and it has been [widely reported that the club are keen to extend his stay](https://www.thisisanfield.com/2026/07/dominik-szoboszlai-liverpool-contract-talks-no-breakthrough/) at Anfield, however, the two parties have yet to reach an agreement.
Despite the uncertainty surrounding his long-term future, the midfielder has spoken positively about his ambitions for both the season ahead and Liverpool’s new manager.
“As a child, I always dreamed of winning the Champions League – probably even more than winning the Premier League,” he said. “But now that I’ve had a taste of it, I absolutely want to win the Premier League again because 2025 was just incredible.
“I’m convinced we can compete (in the Champions League), and I’m hopeful that with the new manager Andoni Iraola we’ll move in the right direction. And then, of course, I dream of playing in the World Cup one day.”
With Iraola expected to bring a fresh perspective to the tactics and the balance of the team, Szoboszlai could be one of the biggest beneficiaries of Liverpool’s new era.
After spending a lot of last season sacrificing his own game to fill gaps elsewhere, the Hungarian will hope to establish himself once again in his preferred role and play a leading part in Liverpool’s pursuit of trophies and dominance once again.