Dominik Szoboszlai believes that Liverpool need to reclaim the aggressive tempo that, according to the midfielder, the team lost last season. The Hungarian is confident that a blend of high intensity and the quality of the current squad can make the Merseysiders a formidable opponent.
Speaking to Steven Gerrard for TNT Sports, the 25-year-old singled out the work of new head coach Andoni Iraola.
‘I really like Iraola. I know he prefers direct and intense football, and that's the style that suits me,’ Szoboszlai noted.
Iraola must bring back aggressive football to Liverpool
According to Szoboszlai, the issue for the team last season wasn’t a lack of individual talent.
‘I think that needs to change. That’s what we were missing last season,’ said the midfielder.
The Hungarian believes that players need to give their all and continuously force opponents to work under pressure.
‘If we can get that intensity back and want to win more than the others, we have the quality. If we can piece it all together, nobody will be able to stop us,’ Szoboszlai declared.
This is why Iraola's style resonates so much with him. The Spanish coach is renowned for demanding high-intensity football, swift ball progression, and a proactive approach without possession.
Szoboszlai taking on more responsibility
The midfielder is gradually becoming one of the key figures in the new setup. Iraola sees him as a player who can influence the game in multiple phases.
Szoboszlai also spoke about his positional preferences, expressing a comfort in playing centrally where he can join attacks, deliver forward passes, and strike from outside the box.
However, the Hungarian is willing to fulfil any role the coach requires for the team’s benefit.
The importance of Szoboszlai to Liverpool is underscored by his status as one of the vice-captains of the team. Alongside him, Alisson and Joe Gomez have taken on similar roles, while Virgil van Dijk remains as captain.
