There are 114 reasons why Anfield will give Man City a hostile welcome on Sunday - but Dominik Szoboszlai has another reason to impress with Liverpool
Liverpool's Dominik Szoboszlai
Liverpool's Dominik Szoboszlai(Image: David Horton - CameraSport via Getty Images)
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The visit of Manchester City has, in recent times, been among those instantly circled by Liverpool supporters on the calendar the moment the Premier League fixture list is published.
There are 114 reasons why the latest clash between the heavyweight duo on Sunday is expected to be even more volatile than most with the Kop already clearing its throat in preparation for sending a pointed message to their rivals from along the M62.
But for one Reds player, the meeting with the Etihad outfit has become particularly notable regardless of venue.
And the weekend is likely to be no less instructive for Dominik Szobszlai after a testing start to the Andoni Iraola era for Liverpool's best player of last season.
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Back in April, Szoboszlai was involved in an altercation with supporters after the final whistle of a dismal 4-0 FA Cup quarter-final defeat at City which prompted him to later apologise for what he regarded as a "misunderstanding".
A few months earlier, Szoboszlai had seemingly sent Liverpool on their way to league victory against City with a thunderous late free-kick, only to be sent off during additional time for hauling back close friend Erling Haaland as the Reds ultimately slumped to a 2-1 reverse.
And it was at City in the 2024/25 season when Szoboszlai scored and assisted in a 2-0 win that irrevocably put the Premier League title momentum in favour of Liverpool, the midfielder famously ending the game prone on the turf from sheer exhaustion.
The 25-year-old was a key proponent of the championship triumph under Arne Slot and was a rare shining light during a difficult defence of the title in which he was compelled to feature in a number of different roles.
Under Iraola, though, the demand has been simplified to that of primarily competing for one of two defensive midfield roles behind the number 10 Florian Wirtz.
And for the first time since his debut Liverpool career in 2023/24, Szoboszlai - who was among those appointed as vice-captain to skipper Virgil van Dijk during the summer - is facing genuine competition for his starting role with the Reds boss Iraola still determining his preferred duo at the base of the engine room.
It doesn't seem that way at first glance, however. Szoboszlai had featured in every minute in the Premier League before his 81st-minute substitution at Bournemouth last time out, and played the full game when scoring in the Champions League win over Atletico Madrid.
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His nerveless penalty ensured a point at Newcastle United on the opening Premier League weekend and even in the one game he didn't start, the League Cup third round win against Tottenham Hotspur, Szoboszlai stepped off the bench to seal the game with a thunderous strike.
Scratch beneath the surface, though, and it soon becomes apparent the Hungarian isn't operating anywhere near his optimum level as he adjusts to the tactical requirements of Iraola.
Instead, Alexis Mac Allister, who suffered for much of the previous campaign, has been re-energised under the new head coach and has been Liverpool's most impressive midfielder during the opening weeks.
That has, at least for now, come at the expense of Ryan Gravenberch, who has started only two of seven games this term.
With Liverpool about to embark on a hectic run of nine games in 29 days before the November international break, Iraola will lean more heavily into rotation in midfield.
The 19-year-old Trey Nyoni is pressing hard for a first Premier League start, while Wataru Endo has still yet to feature at all under Iraola and failed to make the matchday squad at Bournemouth.
But, provided he isn't required elsewhere, Szoboszlai would at present appear the man in possession alongside Mac Allister in midfield and, having only this summer penned a long-term deal at the club, is very much a player around whom the future is being planned.
Szoboszlai will be expected to start against City at the weekend. And given his propensity of leaving a mark on the fixture, it would represent the ideal time for the £60million man to begin reprising his form of last season.
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