Dominik Szoboszlai has emerged as Liverpool’s best player this season due to his exceptional adaptability, impressive statistics, and crucial contributions in key moments, particularly in their transition period after Trent Alexander-Arnold’s departure.
Dominik Szoboszlai’s versatility, defensive solidity, offensive threat, and set-piece mastery have elevated his game to another level, making him an indispensable asset for Liverpool. Here, The Hard Tackle discusses why he is the Merseyside club’s best player this season.
Versatility and Role Adaptation
Dominik Szoboszlai’s ability to perform outstandingly as a right back, a position unfamiliar to him, has been one of the most remarkable stories of Liverpool’s season so far. After Trent Alexander-Arnold left, Liverpool faced a challenge in filling the creative and defensive void at right back.
Szoboszlai stepped into this role seamlessly, showing composure and tactical discipline uncommon for a midfielder-turned-full-back. In his performances against Newcastle United and Arsenal, he completed over 90 per cent of his passes, won the majority of his duels, and delivered crucial defensive contributions, including containing dangerous players like Gabriel Martinelli effectively.
The Hungarian international’s defensive stats placed him among Liverpool’s most reliable players in matches where the team sought solidity out wide, contributing significantly to clean sheets and defensive stability for the first time since April last season.
Liverpool manager Arne Slot praised Dominik Szoboszlai’s character and sacrifice for the team, noting his willingness to defend extensively despite right back not being his natural position. Slot’s trust in the 24-year-old was validated by consistent standout performances, confirming the Hungarian as a new dynamic presence on Liverpool’s right flank, both defending and contributing to the attack.
Statistical Excellence and Match Impact
Beyond positional adaptability, Dominik Szoboszlai’s overall statistics highlight his influence on Liverpool’s play. In recent Premier League matches, he has showcased a precision passing game with a passing accuracy above 90 pre cent, regularly completing long-range passes that break opposition lines, and delivering a high number of passes into the final third.
Defensively, he has made significant tackles and defensive actions, outperforming many traditional full-backs and midfielders in the team. His ability to shoot from distance, with six long-range shots against Burnley in a standout game, underscores his dual-threat capability as both a creator and a scorer.
Szoboszlai’s scoring record further cements his importance. He netted a magnificent free-kick winner against Arsenal, a goal that was not only vital for a 1-0 win but was voted August’s Premier League Goal of the Month, showcasing not just effectiveness but flair and technical brilliance. This goal was also seen as a passing of the torch in set-piece responsibility from Trent Alexander-Arnold, with Szoboszlai now assuming the role of Liverpool’s premier free-kick taker, a position requiring nerves of steel and exceptional technique.
Moreover, his match-winning corner against Atletico Madrid in the UEFA Champions League reaffirmed his clutch player status on the European stage, contributing both offensively and with key defensive recoveries in high-stakes matches.
Midfield Completeness and Influence
Though Dominik Szoboszlai has excelled at right back, his primary role remains in central midfield, where he demonstrates a balance of attacking creativity and diligent defensive work that epitomises a complete modern midfielder. The 24-year-old has contributed ten goals and eight assists in Liverpool appearances across recent seasons, indicating sustained offensive output.
His ability to transition seamlessly between defensive duties and creative playmaking enables Liverpool to control matches and maintain intensity. This is especially valuable given Arne Slot’s tactical demands for fluidity and high pressing. The player’s growth as a midfielder has been especially significant in light of the arrival of Florian Wirtz, another attacking talent brought in to enhance Liverpool’s creative options.
While there was speculation that Szoboszlai’s role might diminish due to Wirtz’s signing, the Hungarian international’s rediscovered form and adaptability have made him indispensable. His performances have seen him outshine the competition, maintaining starting roles and critical involvement in the first team on merit. This competition appears to have spurred Szoboszlai’s improvement, a testament to his resilience and professionalism.
Defensive and Offensive Improvement
Liverpool have looked more solid defensively with Dominik Szoboszlai in the right-back position compared to previous outings. He has combined defensive assurance with offensive support, much like Trent Alexander-Arnold’s old style, but with his own distinctive approach.
The 24-year-old’s capacity to win duels, make interceptions, and support the build-up out of defence has been instrumental in Liverpool regaining the defensive solidity they lacked earlier. His performance against Arsenal was a prime example, where he nullified a key Arsenal attacker while delivering the decisive free-kick, effectively combining defensive discipline with offensive ingenuity.
Set Pieces and Key Moments
Dominik Szoboszlai’s prowess in dead-ball situations has become a vital weapon for Liverpool. His stunning 32-yard free-kick against Arsenal is a highlight, confirming his ability to change games with moments of brilliance.
This goal perfectly demonstrated Liverpool’s attacking quality in set pieces since Trent Alexander-Arnold’s departure. His determination to take risks and confidence in his powerful shot make him not only a threat but a reliable scorer from these situations, bolstering Liverpool’s goalscoring options beyond open play.
Conclusion
Dominik Szoboszlai is Liverpool’s best player this season by virtue of his unique blend of versatility, defensive grit, offensive creativity, and clutch goal-scoring ability. His transformation into an effective right back after Trent Alexander-Arnold’s exit has added a new dimension to Liverpool’s squad, while his performances in central midfield showcase his complete skill set.
The Hungarian international’s statistical output compares favorably with peers, and his impact in big games, such as against Atletico Madrid and Arsenal, has been decisive. Far from being edged out by the arrival of Florian Wirtz, Szoboszlai has elevated his game, becoming an indispensable voice in Liverpool’s pursuit of titles this season and exemplifying the winning mentality under Arne Slot.
The 24-year-old playmaker’s journey this season is a story of talent, adaptation, and leading performances that have made him not just a key player but a symbol of Liverpool’s resilience and ambition in the 2025/26 season.
