Andy Robertson’s cross could not have been better. Dominik Szoboszlai’s run to meet it was equally as good. Yet the ball did not end up in the back of Wolverhampton Wanderers’ net.
At a time when bundling the ball into the net was all that was required…
… Szoboszlai’s clean connection led to it cannoning off Sam Johnstone’s outstretched leg and out for a corner.
Cue disbelief.
Whether it was a poor finish, miraculous goalkeeping or somewhere in the middle, it meant Szoboszlai’s search for his fourth Premier League goal continues.
It is a run stretching back to January 31, when he scored in Liverpool’s 4-1 victory over Chelsea — 18 appearances ago.
It was another nearly moment for the Hungary midfielder, and example of why he finds himself splitting opinion among parts of the fanbase.
The arrival of head coach Arne Slot has led to a tweaked role for Szoboszlai. He is now operating in a more advanced No 10 role, compared with the slightly deeper No 8 role under Jurgen Klopp.
It is one that comes with a different set of expectations and a closer focus on goal contributions and overall creativity. Szoboszlai, 23, finished last season with seven goals and four assists in 45 appearances from the No 8 role. It is not a surprise Slot is keen to improve that and he laid down the gauntlet before Liverpool’s first Champions League game against AC Milan.
“Something that we have to work on with him is that he’s also even more involved in scoring goals and creating chances,” Slot told reporters in the pre-match press conference. “Last season he scored three (league goals) and for an attacking midfielder at Liverpool his numbers need to go up.”
He responded by capping Liverpool’s comeback victory in scoring the third at the San Siro, but it remains his only goal of the campaign to accompany one assist against Manchester United.
They were the perfect examples of what Szoboszlai needs to do consistently. His goal against Milan saw him start the counter-attack by releasing Cody Gakpo and then bursting into the box to convert the cross.
His assist for Mohamed Salah was an example of picking the correct pass when Liverpool were in transition. Correct decision, right weight of pass and Salah did the rest.
He is unfortunate not to have two Premier League assists, as it was his pass that played in Salah for Liverpool’s second goal against Ipswich Town. However, the slight touch from Leif Davis means it is not recognised.
It was not the only clever pass that deserved more on the opening day, with his through ball perfect for Salah — but this time the Egypt forward’s finish lacked power.
Team-mates’ finishing is not the only issue. Those types of defence-splitting passes have not been seen as regularly as you would want from a No 10. That is partly due to his decision-making, especially when breaking forward in transition.
The image of Szoboszlai driving at an opposition back line with three attackers in front of him is what Slot’s system is designed to create by playing through opposition lines and into space. His assist against Manchester United was executed perfectly, but hesitation, poor execution or a combination of both have let him down when in position to provide the killer pass, with one example against Wolves below. His poor pass ended a potential four-versus-two situation.
He told Hungarian broadcaster SpilerTV before the Wolves game: “I set the bar even higher (than 10 goals and 10 assists). I told myself, 25. It doesn’t matter how many goals and assists specifically, I just want 25. But if it will be only 20, I will sign the paper right now.”
Looking at the data, he cannot be accused of failing to create. Only Salah (14) and Trent Alexander-Arnold (11), have created more chances from open play than Szoboszlai (10).
Among Premier League midfielders defined by Opta, only five players have created more chances than him — Dejan Kulusevski (15), Cole Palmer (15), Bernardo Silva (13), Morgan Gibbs-White (11) and Jack Grealish (11). He drops down the list for expected assists, which measures how likely the pass played will lead to goal, with 0.75, so the chances he is creating are not high value.
It is less promising for his goalscoring potential. His effort against Wolves was his first shot on target this season in the league. His nine shots ranks fourth among Liverpool players, but if he wants to reach his target then chances like he got against Wolves, and Manchester United when he did not attempt a first-time effort from eight yards, which meant the chance was lost, have to be taken.
Szoboszlai is a difficult player to analyse because there are many strands to his game. The talent is obvious and he defines the all-round midfielder description, but his tendency to frustrate can often overwhelm the quality he provides.
Liverpool’s midfield three have received plenty of praise collectively — Ryan Gravenberch especially individually – but it has been far from the perfect unit. Szoboszlai has received a share of praise and criticism.
His 6ft 1in frame, power and athleticism mean he can operate as Slot’s No 1o better than most. He is required to get through so much work off the ball, leading the press from the front and then transition back to help his midfielders. Few in world football have that engine accompanying his technical quality.
It would be understandable to put the occasional poor touch or decision-making lapse down to tiredness. Those loose touches do frustrate though, and help explain the caution around whether he can return to the standards he set.
Arguably, Szoboszlai’s early form last season set the bar too high. It was unsustainable, and then when he returned from a hamstring injury he was a shadow of that player.
Szoboszlai’s running power remains one of his best assets in possession, but the key is channeling that into productivity. The signs were there in pre-season when his goal against Real Betis and assist against Sevilla came via bursting forward as Liverpool’s fourth attacker.
He was one of the poorer performers in Liverpool’s only defeat this season against Nottingham Forest, and when they needed somebody to break the game open he was unable to.
The absence of Harvey Elliott, due to a foot injury, has given Szoboszlai a clear run as the primary player in that position. Pressure, though, is coming for his place from Curtis Jones who has impressed in recent performances and replaced Szoboszlai against Wolves.
Szoboszlai is blessed with so many qualities that standards are high. He is 24 next month so has barely scratched the surface of his peak years. That should be encouraging about what he can develop into.
While he may frustrate, his profile is crucial to how Slot wants to play.
(Top photo: Szoboszlai shows his frustrations to Slot at Molineux. Simon Stacpoole/Offside/Offside via Getty Images)
