Jamie Carragher and Daniel Sturridge have both questioned whether Dominik Szoboszlai fits his current role in Liverpool's midfield under head coach Andoni Iraola. The former Reds players shared their concerns about the Hungarian's suitability in a double-pivot system.
Szoboszlai's changing role at Liverpool
Szoboszlai, appointed one of Liverpool's vice-captains in the summer, was the club's player of the season last year, recording 13 goals and 12 assists in 53 appearances. Under former head coach Arne Slot, he played in several positions, including as a number 10, an eight, at right-back and on the right wing. Under Iraola, he has been used almost exclusively as a number eight in a double-pivot midfield.
The 26-year-old has not yet matched last season's form, with Liverpool's midfield setup facing continued scrutiny. Szoboszlai began the campaign as first-choice alongside Ryan Gravenberch, though the Dutchman has since lost his place to Alexis Mac Allister. The Reds have appeared more in control of games when teenager Trey Nyoni has been selected alongside the Argentine, with Szoboszlai recently missing five matches due to a hamstring injury.
Carragher's verdict on the double pivot
Carragher told Sky Sports that Szoboszlai is not the best fit for a double-pivot midfield. "The discussion that has been there all pre-season and all season is the balance of Liverpool's midfield," he said. "You've got Szoboszlai there and Mac Allister - again, individually, two really good players, talented players, but do they work as a partnership in there?"
Carragher highlighted Nyoni as the only midfielder who reads danger and holds his position. "Trey Nyoni really is the only midfield player Liverpool have right now who almost sees danger, stays in that position, stays in the middle of the pitch, and can actually play there as well," he said. Referring to a match against Crystal Palace, he added: "So will Liverpool's midfielders vacate that position a lot? Yes, Szoboszlai will, that's one of the reasons why he's probably not 100 percent suited, I think, to that double pivot."
Sturridge urges smarter pressing
Sturridge agreed, urging Szoboszlai to manage his pressing and positioning when playing deeper. "I think it's about, in his mind, managing how much he presses and when to go, as opposed to just pressing for pressing's sake," he said. "I'm not saying that he does that all the time."
Sturridge said Liverpool are open because neither midfielder reads in front of the defence, with both tending to vacate that space due to the manager's pressing demands. He added: "It's about him understanding 'okay, I'm going to play those passes in between the lines, I am going to press, I have that intent.' That's his game, he works hard, he presses with that fierce action. But, I need to see a bit more of a smart way of pressing from him as well."
