LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND - Wednesday, September 9, 2026: Liverpool's Dominik Szoboszlai celebrates after scoring his side's first and equalising goal during the UEFA Champions League 2026/27 League Phase MD1 match between Liverpool FC and Atlético Madrid at Anfield. (Photo by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)
LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND - Wednesday, September 9, 2026: Liverpool's Dominik Szoboszlai celebrates after scoring his side's first and equalising goal during the UEFA Champions League 2026/27 League Phase MD1 match between Liverpool FC and Atlético Madrid at Anfield. (Photo by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)
Alexis Mac Allister took the headlines against Atletico Madrid, but Dominik Szoboszlai also impressed, achieving a feat not managed by a Liverpool player since Philippe Coutinho.
Liverpool’s 2-1 win over Atletico saw Szoboszlai score his second of the season, equalising before half time with a tidy finish.
Thanks to a fantastic winner, much of the post-match praise fell on Mac Allister, but Szoboszlai’s contribution shouldn’t be forgotten.
Playing alongside the Argentine, Szoboszlai was the more advanced of the midfield duo.
He scored, completed over 50 passes (52), created five chances, completed four dribbles and won possession more than five times.
According to Opta’s Michael Reid, Szoboszlai became the first Liverpool player to achieve these numbers since Coutinho in the Reds’ 7-0 away win against Maribor in 2017.
He was influential all over the pitch as Liverpool capitalised on their momentum either side of half time.
In fact, only Florian Wirtz ran further than the 11.1km covered by Szoboszlai.
Against Atletico, per FotMob, the Hungarian topped Liverpool’s charts for successful dribbles (4/7), touches (86), accurate passes (52/57), chances created (5) and duels won (6/8).
Andoni Iraola appreciates his goalscoring midfielders
After watching his two midfielders score his team’s only goals of the game, Iraola was eager to praise them both when asked about Mac Allister’s performance.
“[It is a] lovely goal from Alexis, lovely from Dom Szoboszlai,” said the head coach.
“I think it’s good also that midfielders can add goals because we have midfielders that naturally are going to arrive to the box.
“Sometimes we are talking about the structure – keep your position – but it’s inside them [to do it] for Ryan Gravenberch, from Dom Szoboszlai and for Alexis Mac Allister.
“It’s good that we can also benefit offensively from those situations where they arrive to the box.”
While several question marks still exist about Szoboszlai’s ability to sniff out danger in a two-man midfield, there has been no denying his attacking contributions over the last year.
He netted 13 times last season, a tally surpassed only by Hugo Ekitike at Liverpool, while producing the most assists (12) of anyone in the squad.
A similar total this season would be great, Dom!
bhatiaanfield
Liverpool v Atletico Madrid – UEFA Champions League – League Phase – Anfield
Liverpool v Atletico Madrid - UEFA Champions League - League Phase - Anfield
Football – UEFA Champions League – Liverpool FC v Atlético Madrid
LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND - Wednesday, September 9, 2026: Liverpool's Ronald Araújo in the line-up before the UEFA Champions League 2026/27 League Phase MD1 match between Liverpool FC and Atlético Madrid at Anfield. (Photo by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)