Thread by @asim_lfc

‘𝑏𝑢𝑡 𝑎𝑠 𝑦𝑜𝑢 𝑠𝑒𝑒 𝑖𝑛 𝑡ℎ𝑒 𝑔𝑎𝑚𝑒𝑠 𝐼 ℎ𝑎𝑣𝑒 𝑡𝑜 𝑐𝑜𝑣𝑒𝑟 𝑎 𝑙𝑜𝑡 𝑓𝑜𝑟 𝑚𝑦 𝑟𝑖𝑔ℎ𝑡 𝑠𝑖𝑑𝑒…’

— 𝗗𝗼𝗺𝗶𝗻𝗶𝗰 𝗦𝘇𝗼𝗯𝗼𝘀𝘇𝗹𝗮𝗶. 🇭🇺🧵

What does Dom mean? Let’s discuss because there has been a bit of talk about his role again. #LFC

@_SZD10

Szoboszlai is increasingly functioning as a facilitator for Mohamed Salah within Liverpool’s right-sided structure. The entire right flank appears to be optimised for Salah’s strengths. Trent plays in a deeper, more ‘conventional’ role during the first phase of attack. #LFC

This deeper positioning gives Liverpool two key advantages:
1. Earlier access to Salah – Trent can hit those early diagonals or driven passes into Salah before the opponent's block sets, especially when Salah is isolated against the full-back. [video highlighting early access]

2. Positional ‘freedom’ for Salah. But this is where the Szoboszlai comes in — he is the glue between the two on the right but what are his ON the ball responsibilities? #LFC

1. To occupy the LCB in facilitating Salah to create isolation out wide. From those positions the possibilities are endless — access to the inside channel, open space for 3rd man runs, just to name a few…

#LFC

2. Attack space/channel runs between LCB and LB. Salah has released the ball at the perfect time on so many occasions. His increased creativity requires movement so if you’re the RCM you need to provide the run whether it’s in transition or a settled attack. It’s what I call the ‘KDB run’ because over the years nobody better has made that run and whipped in a ball waiting to be tapped in. KDB in the 10 next season? Sorry just a thought. Where were we??…

[pic from Newcastle away highlighting Szobo’s run] It was the perfect game to enjoy our right sided triangle from the clouds that night. #LFC

3. Width fixer — Slot’s number 10 must be able to adapt and occupy the touchline when Salah comes inside on occasions. This flexible movement pattern allows Salah to remain unpredictable — receiving wide, running in behind, or drifting centrally — because Szoboszlai, in particular, is managing the tactical responsibilities around him. This is not me making anything up — on most occasions if Slot needs to send out some instructions for the attack, it’s via Szobo. For the backline it’s through his captain, for the lads up front, it’s Szobo which suggests trust and responsibility.

[pic highlighting the ‘triangle of freedom’]

#LFC

**Off the ball role**

1. He presses as the second striker [SS] and recovers the right side for the ‘cheating’ Salah. Salah does his fair share of tracking, especially on the big day but it’s also a clear tactic from Liverpool to make sure their main man receives in positions to kill the opposition — because why wouldn’t you create an environment for the best player in the league?

The 4-2-4 pressing structure has many benefits but it’s also not bulletproof, (I’ve been banging on about it since pre-season) but one of the main burdens it puts on Szobo, is whether he jumps on the press or not, it’s mainly him covering the right side — if it’s not him then it’s Gravenberch who generally is reluctant to vacate central space. Let’s give you an example, I had to look hard because I like to stick to my own footage incase I get an email from Elon about breaching copyright rules. Here it is….

Video highlights the RCB is pressed by Salah. Szobo who sits on the opposing DM initially is then expected to shift to the right as the press is bypassed over Salah. This takes lungs. #LFC

2. Szobo is integral in trying to balance high pressing with defensive stability. And this is why he has dual responsibilities. If the first line of press is bypassed, he acts as the third midfielders to provide central coverage, fill half spaces, and cover the RB. He’s even done it from the left on occasions this season.

Remember Wolves at home? Just go watch the last 20-30 mins of that game. Szobo was moved from pillar to post as Slot tried to nullify their central progression. This was him on the left late in the game. #LFC

3. Szobo is a transition and counter-pressing monster. The amount of times he stops or slows down opposing attacks from developing is nuts. The amount of times when a left winger or the LB has the ball to run into, has a glimpse of Szobo chasing them down and turns back to recycle play is nuts!

#LFC

If you don’t want to take my word for it? Have a look at this graphic.

#LFC

Now does all this mean Szobo cannot do more in terms of output? Of course not. I’ve written bigger threads than this explaining Liverpool need extra intelligence in the pockets especially when the 10 is expected to stay high up. The Slot 4-1-5/4-3-3 expects the 10 to occupy really advanced positions and if anyone needs to drop deeper to exert more control in buildup then it’s Macca from LCM but I don’t want to go into all that again because this thread was to explain what Szobo meant when he said, ‘I have to cover a lot for my right side’.

If you’re still here, thanks again.
— Asim.

Video credit : All my footage from Behind The Bench.

#LFC