‘No problem’: 22-year-old Liverpool star now suggests he could step in as a defensive midfielder

Liverpool midfielder Dominik Szoboszlai has suggested he could be deployed in defensive midfield.

The Reds are currently looking for a new defensive midfielder as they prepare for the loss of Fabinho to Al Ittihad. With no natural substitute in pink, all sorts of names have been suggested.

But according to Szoboszlai, they may have an unexpected solution. In quotes from the Daily Mail, the 22-year-old says it’s “not a problem” for him to play role number 6, though he’d rather not. “I just want to be on the pitch!” he says. “But like a number eight, a number 10… if I have to slide back a bit to catch the ball like a number 6? No problem.

“I want to go more towards goal, but yes, I’m a box-to-box midfielder I would say!”

Szoboszlai likes to play everywhere
We have no doubts that someone as talented as Szoboszlai could absolutely play as a No. 6 with distinction.

But playing in that deep position for Liverpool is not the same as playing for another team. There is a huge emphasis on whoever is there to anchor it as others push forward around them. It really takes a specialist.

Fabinho made that fantastic four of his five years at Anfield. There is no one we would rather have. When you scour the world of football for players with similar characteristics, Szoboszlai doesn’t come to mind.

However, his admission may hint at what Jürgen Klopp is looking to do with his new midfield recruits. Instead of using them in a set position, he may be looking for versatility instead. Alexis Mac Allister is also a versatile midfielder who has also played a bigger role in his career so far.

With Trent Alexander-Arnold likely to continue playing his hybrid role, Klopp could accept having a less specialized midfielder as his deepest player.

But even in this scenario, someone has to sit next to Trent while he pulls the strings. In our opinion, that player is currently either Thiago Alcantara or Stefan Bajcetic. Szoboszlai could well, but we need his eye for a pass and goal closer to the opponents’ penalty area. Enough food for thought, though.