0 Dribbles, Lost the Ball 23x: Liverpool’s 5/10 Ace Was as Bad as Szoboszlai vs Wolves
Liverpool edged their way into first place, taking pole position at the top of the Premier League. It’s only matchweek six, but the Arne Slot revolution shows no signs of slowing down.
In the first half, Wolverhampton Wanderers had the upper hand at Molineux, creating better chances. Liverpool were struggling, both in holding their position and defensively.
The performance was becoming tiresome, with Liverpool looking disjointed and lacking fluidity. Arne Slot appeared visibly frustrated on the sidelines.
Then, things took a turn. Diogo Jota found space on the left wing and delivered a superb cross into the box, which Ibrahima Konate met with a powerful header.
It was fast, intense, and relentless. The once timid Liverpool attack transformed into a fierce, goal-scoring threat. The team now had the lead.
Slot has reshaped Liverpool into a team built on defensive solidity and steel. However, this newfound strength was tested when Konate missed a clearance, and Alisson Becker, back in the starting lineup, fumbled his chance to collect the ball.
Fortunately, the miscommunication didn’t cost them, as Mohamed Salah converted a penalty shortly after the hour mark, restoring Liverpool’s lead, which they maintained until the end.
This wasn’t a performance that embodied Slot’s philosophy of control. It was chaotic, almost like a game of pinball at times. Nevertheless, the Reds will be pleased to have secured an important win that took them to the top of the table. Not every player stood out, with Dominik Szoboszlai failing to make a notable impact in the number ten role.
Dominik Szoboszlai vs Wolves
Szoboszlai joined Liverpool in June 2023 as part of Jurgen Klopp’s final adjustments during a significant reshaping of the team’s struggling midfield.
Coming from RB Leipzig, where he was highly regarded in Germany, the Hungarian midfielder made the move after Liverpool activated his £60 million release clause.
Since his arrival, Szoboszlai has experienced both highs and lows while playing for the Merseyside club. However, his role became more positively defined following Slot’s appointment, which allowed him to play in a more natural position, as opposed to the deep-lying midfield role he had previously occupied under Klopp.
Despite the improvements, there remains room for growth in his game. The 23-year-old needs to become more of a goal threat, having missed a key opportunity in the first half of a recent match.
Szoboszlai squandered a golden chance to score when he fired directly at Sam Johnstone after a superb pass from Jota.
GOAL gave Szoboszlai a low rating of 4/10, stating that he “didn’t look up to it at all.” He struggled to make an impact on Liverpool’s attack, recording no key passes, tackles, or interceptions, and failing to complete his only attempted dribble, according to Sofascore.
Szoboszlai will undoubtedly have better performances, and the same can be said for Trent Alexander-Arnold, who was well below his typically commanding level.
Trent Alexander-Arnold’s Performance Fell Short of Expectations
Trent Alexander-Arnold is widely recognized as one of Europe’s leading creators. Known for his technical prowess, he’s often described as a maverick or maestro. Any superlative you choose is likely to have been attributed to this exceptional footballer’s talents.
According to FBref, over the past year, Liverpool’s vice-captain has been ranked in the top 14% of full-backs in Europe’s top five leagues for goals, the top 4% for assists, the top 1% for shot-creating actions, passes attempted, and progressive passes, and the top 12% for interceptions per 90 minutes.
However, at Molineux, that usual flair and creativity were somewhat subdued. While Alexander-Arnold is typically a constant offensive threat, he found himself making several defensive interventions as the hosts frequently attempted to launch counter-attacks.
| Trent Alexander-Arnold: Stats vs Wolves | |
|---|---|
| Match Stats | # |
| Minutes played | 90′ |
| Touches | 76 |
| Shots (on target) | 2 (1) |
| Accurate passes | 39/54 (72%) |
| Key passes | 1 |
| Possession lost | 23x |
| Dribbles (completed) | 2 (0) |
| Tackles | 2 |
| Interceptions | 1 |
| Ground duels (won) | 6 (2) |
| Yellow card | 1 |
| Stats Source: Sofascore | |
Trent Alexander-Arnold typically doesn’t end a match with the same level of precise pass completion as someone like Ryan Gravenberch, but his overall distribution tends to be more impactful. In this instance, a few of his corners failed to clear the first defender, and many of his crosses were headed away by Wolves’ towering defenders.
While GOAL’s assessment wasn’t as harsh as it was for Szoboszlai, Alexander-Arnold is unlikely to be pleased with his 5/10 rating, as the outlet noted in their commentary:
“Below his best as he cut his frustrated figure at times. Booked early for kicking the ball away, though did make a couple of strong defensive interventions.”
It was a match defined by key moments, and Liverpool demonstrated their potential as title contenders with another gritty win, moving their push for success even further.
Winning is deeply ingrained in the culture of this club, a standard Klopp has firmly established. Now, Slot must ensure that Liverpool continues to make strides in the Premier League, applying pressure on Manchester City, Arsenal, and any other teams vying for the top spot.
Although players like Alexander-Arnold and Szoboszlai have room for improvement, their talent is undeniable, as Liverpool still managed to secure victory.
In other Liverpool news, Andy Robertson Drops Brilliant Four-word Comment Liverpool Teammate After Impressive Performance Against Wolves
