Dominik Szoboszlai is expected to start for Liverpool against Manchester City on Sunday, with the fixture offering the midfielder an ideal opportunity to begin recapturing the form that made him the club's best player last season.
The Hungarian has endured a testing start to Andoni Iraola's tenure at Anfield, adjusting to new tactical demands while facing genuine competition for his starting role for the first time since his debut campaign in 2023/24.
Fixture history
Szoboszlai has a notable record against City. In April, he was involved in an altercation with supporters after a 4-0 FA Cup quarter-final defeat at the Etihad, later apologising for what he called a "misunderstanding".
Earlier that season, he scored a thunderous late free-kick to seemingly put Liverpool on course for a league victory over City, only to be sent off in additional time for hauling back close friend Erling Haaland as the Reds lost 2-1.
In the 2024/25 campaign, Szoboszlai scored and assisted in a 2-0 win at City that put the Premier League title momentum firmly in Liverpool's favour, with the midfielder ending the game prone on the turf from exhaustion.
Competition for places
The 25-year-old was a key figure in the championship triumph under Arne Slot and a rare bright spot during a difficult title defence, featuring in several different roles.
Under Iraola, however, his role has been simplified to primarily competing for one of two defensive midfield positions behind number 10 Florian Wirtz. Appointed vice-captain to Virgil van Dijk during the summer, Szoboszlai is now facing genuine competition for his starting berth as Iraola determines his preferred midfield duo.
Szoboszlai had played every minute in the Premier League before his 81st-minute substitution at Bournemouth, and scored in the Champions League win over Atletico Madrid. His nerveless penalty secured a point at Newcastle United on the opening weekend, and he came off the bench to seal victory in the League Cup third round win against Tottenham Hotspur.
Form concerns
Despite those contributions, the Hungarian is not operating near his optimum level as he adjusts to Iraola's tactical requirements. Alexis Mac Allister, who struggled much of last season, has been re-energised under the new head coach and has been Liverpool's most impressive midfielder in the opening weeks.
That has come at the expense of Ryan Gravenberch, who has started only two of seven games this term. With Liverpool facing nine games in 29 days before the November international break, Iraola is expected to rotate his midfield more heavily.
Nineteen-year-old Trey Nyoni is pressing for a first Premier League start, while Wataru Endo has yet to feature under Iraola and missed the matchday squad at Bournemouth.
Provided he isn't required elsewhere, Szoboszlai appears the man in possession alongside Mac Allister in midfield. Having signed a long-term deal this summer, he is central to the club's future plans. Given his propensity for leaving a mark on the City fixture, it would represent the ideal time for the £60million man to begin reprising his form of last season.
