Slot must axe Szoboszlai to unleash “special” Liverpool midfielder instead

Right now, Liverpool followers, could be the day Anfield erupts as Arne Slot’s good squad of good gamers clinch the Premier League title.

It is in Liverpool’s arms. This afternoon, the Reds should merely keep away from defeat towards Tottenham Hotspur to place the trophy out of Arsenal’s attain and formally finish 4 years of Manchester Metropolis dominance, tying Merseyside crimson ribbons onto the cup for a record-equalling twentieth time.

Liverpool have consumately steered their method by means of the 2024/25 marketing campaign, Slot’s first within the dugout, with such steadiness and equipoise, such high quality oozing throughout each nook of the pitch.

It has been a very long time since Liverpool began a Premier League matchweek beneath the division’s summit – it was the time period’s ninth spherical of fixtures, in truth, earlier than Metropolis stumbled.

Spurs and Liverpool have performed out some memorable matches at Anfield lately, however this may very well be the decide of the bunch, ought to the hosts maintain their nerve and professionally get the job executed.

Slot and his coterie have managed to maintain Liverpool treading above the water on the harm entrance this season, and there aren’t too many setbacks to disrupt this doubtlessly watershed event.

The newest Liverpool staff information

Joe Gomez is ready to overlook out as soon as once more as he continues his restoration from harm. The versatile defender is, nonetheless, anticipated to function earlier than the top of the season.

Trent Alexander-Arnold scored an emphatic off-the-bench winner at Leicester Metropolis, however Conor Bradley could properly reprise his place at right-back.

Tyler Morton remains to be out, slowed down by an ongoing shoulder situation. It’s unlikely the younger midfielder would have featured anyway.

Fringe stars similar to Harvey Elliott and Federico Chiesa will likely be hoping for minutes, however with Liverpool in want of an expert efficiency to clinch the title, Slot is not more likely to make drastic modifications.

Nevertheless, the Dutchman would possibly make one or two tweaks, with Dominik Szoboszlai in line to be dropped from his place standing pleased with the central midfield.

Why Slot ought to drop Dominik Szoboszlai

Szoboszlai has been a daily function all through Slot’s first season on the helm, beginning 25 occasions within the Premier League. He ebbed and flowed final 12 months below Jurgen Klopp, however appears to be like extra centered and assured in his soccer.

Nevertheless, Szoboszlai nonetheless hasn’t mastered the artwork of scoring, of making targets for his teammates. Throughout 89 whole Liverpool appearances, the Hungarian has solely scored 14 occasions and provided 11 assists.

Having now gone 5 Premier League video games with out notching a objective contribution, the 24-year-old must be dropped; Szoboszlai brings a load of power and tenacity to Liverpool’s first staff, however pundit Jamie Carragher has just lately remarked that the Reds “can enhance” in attacking midfield, citing the minimal output as a possible situation going ahead.

Whereas he isn’t a dramatic improve from a prolific standpoint, the hosts would possibly need to take into account unleashing Curtis Jones from the outset towards Ange Postecoglou’s struggling aspect, with the England worldwide’s

Jones, additionally 24, has been hailed for his “particular” qualities and “full” method by Slot, having performed an essential position this season as he threads issues collectively within the centre whereas including a dimension on the sting of the hazard space, driving even additional ahead when he can.

As per FBref, he ranks among the many prime 7% of central midfielders throughout Europe’s prime 5 leagues over the previous 12 months for objective involvements, the highest 2% for cross completion, the highest 5% for touches within the attacking penalty space, and the highest 20% for profitable take-ons per 90.

That is fairly the array of strengths throughout the sweep of the midfield sport, definitely highlighting Jones’ means to affect a match.

With three targets and 7 assists throughout 41 matches in all competitions this 12 months (simply 24 begins), Jones’ ball-playing means clearly lends itself to a playmaking energy that might spark Mohamed Salah and co again into goalscoring motion.

It is no marvel he is earned his hold within the Three Lions set-up, impressing on the worldwide stage too.

Not solely is Jones crisp in possession, extremely finishing 94% of his passes within the Premier League this season, however he is additionally confirmed himself to be a extremely environment friendly ball provider, succeeding with 67% of his dribbles, as per Sofascore.

Getting at this shaky Spurs defence will likely be essential later this afternoon, for Liverpool’s frontline have not been within the sharpest type as a collective, and they’ll want help from behind.

Jones has additionally proven his ardour, his devotion, towards Liverpool’s trigger, and that could be a issue which is certain to return into play towards the Lilywhites, with the boyhood star sure to be determined for a standout efficiency in a match which might shut the title-challenging chapter and certainly ship Liverpool again to the highest of the English pyramid.

That is to not say Szoboszlai would not carry his personal model of burning depth to the competition, however it could be that Jones is the most suitable choice to play alongside Alexis Mac Allister and Ryan Gravenberch on this one, freshening issues up forward of what would possibly simply show to be a momentous day for Liverpool.