Szoboszlai-Liverpool-Spurs
Andoni Iraola has only been in the Liverpool manager’s job for a couple of months, but it’s safe to say he’s already starting to work out who he can trust in key areas.
He’s stuck by his familiar 4-2-3-1 system during his opening months at Anfield, which has seen his side only lose once in their first 11 games across all competitions.
Partnerships are starting to build up in various areas of the squad, with Virgil van Dijk and Jeremy Jacquet looking as though they’ve been featuring alongside one another for years.
van-dijk-liverpool
However, the Reds’ ability to succeed will only increase in the weeks ahead, especially when one player returns to full fitness and is a part of the manager’s starting eleven once more.
Why Szoboszlai is becoming Liverpool's most valuable player
Last season saw Liverpool unsuccessfully defend their Premier League title, and even ended the campaign fifth - a staggering 25 points off eventual winners Arsenal.
The subsequent struggles saw Arne Slot lose his job on Merseyside, but the Dutchman could have been out the door a lot sooner if it weren’t for the efforts of Dominik Szoboszlai.
szoboszlai-liverpool (5)
szoboszlai-liverpool (5)
The Hungarian international registered a staggering 25 combined goals and assists last campaign, including two remarkable free-kicks against Manchester City and Arsenal.
As a result of his phenomenal displays, the 25-year-old was named as the club’s Player of the Season last term - subsequently winning the award for the first time since his move from RB Leipzig in 2023.
Season Player of the Season
2016/17 Sadio Mané
2017/18 Mohamed Salah
2018/19 Virgil van Dijk
2019/20 Jordan Henderson
2020/21 Mohamed Salah
2021/22 Mohamed Salah
2022/23 Alisson Becker
2023/24 Mohamed Salah
2024/25 Mohamed Salah
2025/26 Dominik Szoboszlai
Szoboszlai has already continued his remarkable form into the current campaign, as seen by his tally of three goals in his eight appearances across all competitions.
However, his progress has been halted by a hamstring injury suffered against Brentford last week, which could see him miss the next month of action.
Such an injury has been a bitter blow for Iraola, who has previously claimed that the midfielder is an “outstanding” talent after his goal against Tottenham Hotspur this season.
How Liverpool could land the next Szoboszlai this winter
Whilst Szoboszlai remains one of Liverpool’s most vital players at present, his injury has given a host of senior players an opportunity to fill the void at Anfield.
Florian Wirtz is one player who has benefited from the Hungarian’s recent fitness struggles, as seen by his run of three consecutive goals or assists in the last couple of weeks.
Florian Wirtz scores for Liverpool
Florian Wirtz scores for Liverpool
Alexis Mac Allister is another player who has taken the opportunity with both hands, with the Argentine scoring twice during Tuesday’s win over Villarreal in the Champions League.
However, despite the form of the aforementioned talents, the hierarchy are on the hunt for added reinforcements, which has seen Felix Nmecha emerge as a transfer target.
It’s been reported by Sky Germany that the Reds have already reached out and held talks with Borussia Dortmund over the possibility of a winter deal for the central midfielder.
However, the Bundesliga side are said to be reluctant to offload the 26-year-old, and it remains unclear if the Reds will progress a deal after the initial talks.
A fee in the region of €100m (£80m) has been mooted to secure a deal for the German, with Manchester United also another side keen on his signature.
Nmecha would be an experience signing this January, but it would see the club emulate a deal for Szoboszlai by securing a big-money midfield star from Germany’s top-division.
felix-nmecha-germany
Even on the field, the Dortmund star has showcased a similarity to the Hungarian, which could see him become yet another regular starter within Iraola’s system.
The German has already netted two goals in his first six appearances in the Bundesliga this term, which demonstrates his ability to find the back of the net - just as the Liverpool star has done in recent years.
Nmecha has averaged a remarkable 92% pass completion rate in Germany this campaign - a figure which the former RB Leipzig man has simply been unable to match.
However, it does highlight the midfielder’s superb ability to pick out a teammate - handing the Reds manager another talented ball-playing option at the heart of the side.
Even without the ball, Nmecha has managed to have the upper hand over Szoboszlai this campaign, subsequently winning more ground duels per 90.
His ability to regain possession could allow the Hungarian to star in more advanced areas of the pitch and increase his own goalscoring tallies upon his return to action.
Felix Nmecha for Borussia Dortmund
Felix Nmecha for Borussia Dortmund
£80m may seem a hefty valuation for the Dortmund talent, but it could prove to be an excellent deal for a player who is about to enter the prime years of his career.