Carragher: Szoboszlai’s Confidence Boost Taking Liverpool Star to Next Level
Dominik Szoboszlai’s arrival at Liverpool has not only injected quality into the midfield but has also instilled a newfound confidence in the Hungarian captain, according to Sky Sports pundit Jamie Carragher. The 25-year-old has quickly become a pivotal figure for the Reds, contributing significantly to their attacking play and demonstrating a level of assurance that has impressed observers.
Szoboszlai’s impact was evident in Liverpool’s recent 1-0 victory over Nottingham Forest on , where his late cross for Virgil van Dijk ultimately led to Alexis Mac Allister’s 97th-minute winner. Carragher, analyzing the game for Sky Sports, highlighted Szoboszlai’s growing sense of importance within the squad as a key factor in Liverpool’s ability to secure their third stoppage-time winner of the campaign.
“Now this ball comes to Dominik Szoboszlai and the thing I love about this is the actual football arrogance of it,” Carragher stated. He further elaborated that Szoboszlai’s willingness to attempt ambitious passes, rather than opting for safer options, demonstrates a belief in his own abilities that wasn’t as apparent in previous seasons. “But we’ll come back to that when we look at it from another angle, but this, the quality is absolutely fantastic.”
This season, Szoboszlai has been a consistent performer for Liverpool, registering 10 goals and seven assists. Carragher believes this form is directly linked to the player’s elevated confidence. He suggests that Szoboszlai now possesses a conviction that he is among the elite players in the Premier League and European football, a mindset that empowers him to take risks and make decisive plays.
“But when I talk about football arrogance with Szoboszlai, that ball comes to him now, it’s easy to do that (play it back to Joe Gomez) and maybe if he loses the ball there I am criticising him. It’s easy to go there (to Andy Robertson) and maybe they are the right passes,” Carragher explained. “But I think that last season or the year before Szoboszlai makes those [more straightforward] passes. I think now he is has got that arrogance [to say]: ‘I’m one of the best players in this team. I am one of the best players in the Premier League and European football and I am going to make something happen here’.”
Carragher’s assessment extends beyond Szoboszlai’s contributions in midfield. He surprisingly suggested that, even with all Liverpool’s options available, Szoboszlai could be considered their best right-back. This versatility underscores the player’s overall value to the team and his growing influence on the pitch.
The late winner against Nottingham Forest, secured thanks to Szoboszlai’s assist, also highlighted a notable trend for Liverpool. The goal was their 48th winner after the 90th minute in the Premier League era, 12 more than any other team in the league. Carragher attributes this resilience to a deeply ingrained characteristic of the club, a quality that has persisted across different managers and eras.
“It’s a great thing to have in your armoury and that is nothing to do with this team,” Carragher commented. “That is a Liverpool trait that encompasses managers going back a very long time and I know it annoys lots of opposition as it does anyone when someone gets a last-minute winner, it’s a killer isn’t it? But I think it’s something Liverpool have had for a very long time and will continue to have.”
Despite the positive trend of late winners, Carragher cautioned against excessive optimism regarding Liverpool’s Champions League qualification prospects. He pointed to the team’s overall performance against Nottingham Forest as a cause for concern, noting similarities to earlier struggles this season. “I am still not [optimistic of Champions League qualification] and the reason I say that was more because of the performance. That was a really poor Liverpool and it was a throwback to games at the start of the season when Liverpool won it late and it also reminded me a lot of that run, when they lost nine in 12.”
Carragher also questioned whether Arne Slot, Liverpool’s manager, would continue to deploy the same attacking quartet given the team’s lack of “legs, energy or pace” in midfield. This suggests a potential tactical adjustment may be necessary to address the team’s vulnerabilities and ensure a more balanced approach.