One thing has modified with Dominik Szoboszlai this season, with the Liverpool midfielder dropping his menace from vary. So what has occurred to his taking pictures?
The principle story of Liverpool’s latest 2-0 win over Aston Villa was the Reds going 5 factors clear on the prime of the league.
But additionally of observe was an absentee from the beginning lineup: Dominik Szoboszlai.
He had introduced himself for the membership on this fixture a 12 months prior, scoring an excellent long-range strike that reminded lots of a sure earlier Liverpool No. 8.
Quick-forward to now, and people long-range strikes have disappeared. Szoboszlai is goalless within the league this season, with Curtis Jones pushing to start out in his place.
Arne Slot has gone on report saying: “For an attacking midfielder at Liverpool, his numbers must go up.”
So what’s happening with Szoboszlai in entrance of aim?
Cracking debut
Like a barnstorming debut album, Szoboszlai’s first season was well-received at Anfield. His exhausting operating and long-range stunners revitalised a drained midfield beat and received the folks off their ft.
Forty-three of his 60 pictures in whole got here from outdoors the realm, highlighting his proclivity to shoot from vary.
But regardless of some screamers within the cup competitions, that Villa effort was his solely long-range aim within the league all season.
Below new administration, Szoboszlai is now taking pictures much less typically and nearer to aim, with the standard of his possibilities being noticeably increased.
This shift shouldn’t be distinctive to him. Final season, Liverpool have been coached to “play the primary move forwards.” This squeezed the opposition again and invited extra pictures from lengthy vary.
There have been some implausible targets and moments in consequence. But it surely was unsustainable throughout the season: Liverpool have been second backside of the league for xG versus targets scored – netting 80 targets from an xG of 87.8.
Regardless of making a excessive quantity of possibilities, the relative high quality of mentioned possibilities have been low, and it proved expensive.
Below Slot, Liverpool are actually extra prone to preserve the ball longer and wait till the decisive ahead move turns into accessible. This invitations strain from the opposition, opening up gaps within the remaining third for the forwards to use.
Consequently, Liverpool are taking fewer pictures, however from nearer to the aim, leading to extra sustainable scoring in step with anticipated targets.
Up to now this has been nice for Liverpool, but it surely’s but to translate right into a Premier League aim for Szoboszlai. Why is that?
Evolving the sound
Szoboszlai’s exploits from distance have been little shock to those that adopted him within the Bundesliga.
In his remaining two seasons at RB Leipzig he took 102 makes an attempt on aim, with 62 of them coming from outdoors the field. Nevertheless, these strikes yielded simply three targets.
Slot’s imaginative and prescient for him is much less thrilling, but it surely does make a whole lot of sense. He’s tall, robust, fast and clever – capable of help the midfield in opposition to the ball, both by main the press in a 4-4-2 form or dropping off to trace runners.
But additionally, having him perform as a second striker means he can drift into area on the assault earlier than storming into the field late and ending possibilities.
We noticed a glimpse of this within the opening sport in opposition to Ipswich. Right here, he finds right into a pocket of area with the ball out huge.
This permits him to lose his marker, but in addition be able to defend the counter if Ipswich gained the ball. As an alternative, Liverpool break, and he activates the fuel.
He gestures to obtain the ball…
…however strikes it in opposition to his personal teammate.
One other instance got here within the slim win over Wolves. Because the assault pours forwards, he pushes as much as the final line alongside the striker.
However the ball by no means comes. He drops off, discovering his area once more, till the ball is labored huge a second time. This time, the cross is available in, and he’s prepared…
…solely to fireside it in opposition to goalkeeper Sam Johnstone from point-blank vary.
His sensible motion and athleticism permit him to get into these high-value positions. With a bit extra composure, these possibilities will grow to be targets – ultimately.
Early verdict
Szoboszlai did discover the web within the Champions League, scoring Liverpool’s third in opposition to AC Milan.
It’s an identical state of affairs: along with his group breaking down the flank in area, Szoboszlai comes hurtling into the field.
However on this event, he stutters only one step…
…delaying his arrival by half a second. It buys him a tiny bit more room when the ball is available in…
…and permits him to transform.
This type of clever motion exhibits he’s rising into his function. Stepping into these positions is the exhausting half – over time, the targets are prone to comply with.
It’s additionally value stating that Szoboszlai will get by an unimaginable quantity of labor off the ball, too.
Like he did in opposition to Ipswich, he should drop off as assaults develop to search out area. However this additionally means he’s set to trace again if the opponent is ready to win the ball and counter.
As Szoboszlai mentioned himself: “I can rating extra targets, I can provide extra assists, however I’m doing the ‘soiled job’ as nicely for the group and that’s the most essential factor to me. Whereas we’re prime of the league and I don’t rating any targets, I’ll take it.”
Whereas these long-range bangers created some hits on his debut report, Szoboszlai’s redeployment as a second striker is producing extra constant, extra precious possibilities.
As soon as these translate into targets, it ought to see his extra mature second album obtain even better success.
