Some of the takes on Dominik Szoboszlai have been genuinely baffling. It feels like a lot of it is emotion dressed up as analysis: one cocky or sloppy decision against Barnsley, one missed penalty against Burnley, and suddenly he’s being talked about like he can’t play. He had a bad week. That happens.

And the frustrating part is it ignores the stuff that’s right there in front of you most matches. He’s one of the few in the squad who consistently looks willing to put his body on the line, not in a performative way either. Proper full-blooded blocks, proper “I’ll take the hit” moments. You don’t see that from everyone, and you can’t pretend it doesn’t matter.

The graft is real, even when it’s not pretty

Szoboszlai battles. He drives us up the pitch when the game goes flat, and he’s often one of the first lads turning and sprinting back when it breaks down. That’s why the “doesn’t tackle” line lands so oddly. You can criticise his timing, or where he ends up on certain phases, but the idea he won’t do the dirty work just doesn’t add up.

There’s also a tactical point here that gets missed. If you’re asking him to play deeper, you naturally lose some of the bite higher up the pitch. If he’s starting moves from further back, he’s not in the same zones to win second balls, pinch tackles, or make those blocks near the edge of the box. That’s not a character flaw, it’s role and spacing.

Technique and striking: you can’t fake that

The Jay Spearing comparison? Come on. Whatever you think of his output, Szoboszlai’s technique is obvious. Set pieces aren’t given out as a reward for effort. You take them because you’ve got the delivery, the whip, the contact. His passing range is right up there, and beyond that he can strike a ball in a way very few can, that nasty wobble that makes keepers hate life.

Anyone who’s played knows that kind of strike doesn’t just happen. It’s repetition, clean mechanics, and confidence. If you don’t rate his all-round game, fine. But “no technical ability” is just objectively wrong.

The fair criticism: more end product, better choices

None of this means he’s above criticism. The one point that feels bang on is that he needs to score and assist more. The quality is there, but his decision-making can be erratic. He’ll pass when the shot’s on, then lash one when a simple ball would do.

He’s got 6 goals and 5 assists in 29 games, which is not bad at all. But if Liverpool are going where we want them to go, a player with his tools should be nudging higher. That’s the conversation. Not pretending he can’t play football.

Written by MK Scouser: 23 January 2026

Tags: efl tactics