Szoboszlai laying the path for Kerkez and others at Liverpool | OneFootball

Szoboszlai’s Rise Under Slot Signals Liverpool’s Next Great Cycle

Liverpool’s evolution under Arne Slot is increasingly defined by one name: Dominik Szoboszlai. The Hungarian midfielder’s journey from expensive promise to decisive talisman has become a symbol of how Slot wants his Liverpool team to grow — patiently, relentlessly, and with belief in long-term development.

Writing in The Times, Paul Joyce noted that “the more Arne Slot spoke about Dominik Szoboszlai, the more he seemed intent on making a bigger point than simply extolling the virtues of one player.” In many ways, Szoboszlai’s story has become shorthand for Liverpool’s wider transition, a club adjusting to a new era after Jürgen Klopp and finding new leaders in familiar red shirts.

Liverpool supporters, and analysts across the Premier League, have seen this pattern before: rough beginnings followed by sustained excellence. Szoboszlai’s early inconsistency has given way to authority in midfield, and Slot has used that arc as an example for younger players such as Milos Kerkez, Florian Wirtz and Hugo Ekitike.

Liverpool v Brighton and Hove Albion, Liverpool, UK – 14 Feb 2026 Dominik Szoboszlai of Liverpool scores a goal during the Emirates FA Cup match between Liverpool and Brighton and Hove Albion at Anfield, Liverpool on 14 February 2026 Liverpool Anfield Liverpool England Copyright: xHarryxCornish/PPAUKx PPA-248563

Growth Curve Shows Slot’s Vision for Liverpool

Szoboszlai’s arrival from RB Leipzig in 2023 for £60 million carried expectation, but not immediate fulfilment. As Joyce reported, the midfielder endured “peaks and troughs in form before ending his first campaign at Anfield under Jürgen Klopp as a substitute.” For many clubs, that narrative might have triggered doubt. Under Slot, it became part of a bigger strategy.

Slot sees player development as a process. According to Joyce, the Liverpool head coach stressed that setbacks should be anticipated and that improvement might come “at the end of this season, next season or in two seasons.” That patience is visible in Liverpool’s squad management this season, particularly with younger signings who are still learning the demands of the Premier League.

Liverpool’s trajectory mirrors the belief that talent matures with structure. Szoboszlai’s progression into a Premier League-winning midfielder last season and now a consistent attacking threat shows Slot’s emphasis on adaptability, fitness, and tactical intelligence.

Form Revival Reflects Changing Liverpool Identity

Liverpool’s campaign has not been smooth. Joyce split it into “different chapters” — early momentum, a damaging run of defeats, then gradual consolidation. Yet results have improved. Liverpool have lost only twice in nineteen games, both in added time, and their balance between attack and defence is sharper.

Szoboszlai has been central to that recovery. His energy in Slot’s 2-3-5 attacking shape provides the vertical thrust Liverpool lacked during their autumn slump — an issue discussed regularly on Anfield Index’s Red Room shows. His ability to press, carry the ball and score from distance echoes the classic box-to-box midfielders Liverpool once relied on, from Steven Gerrard’s dynamism to Georginio Wijnaldum’s control.

As Joyce highlighted after the FA Cup win against Brighton, Szoboszlai’s strike was another reminder of why Mohamed Salah described him as “one of the best midfielders in the world right now.”

Kerkez Example Underlines Liverpool Development Model

Slot’s praise for Szoboszlai also extends to others. Milos Kerkez’s early struggles have begun to ease, and Liverpool’s leadership group have been key. Virgil van Dijk explained that “he is still so young and is getting used to being a Liverpool player… there is a lot more to it than kicking a ball on the pitch.”

Joyce observed that Kerkez, once criticised for rash defending, showed improvement by assisting Curtis Jones against Brighton and offering intelligent runs down the flank. It is a reminder that Liverpool’s rebuild is not solely about star signings but about refining potential.

That process is familiar across the Premier League, from Mikel Arteta’s patience at Arsenal to Pep Guardiola’s squad evolution at Manchester City. Slot’s Liverpool are attempting something similar: a new cycle built around technical midfielders, progressive full-backs, and relentless pressing.

Szoboszlai’s Influence Points Toward Liverpool’s Future

Liverpool’s ambitions have shifted after their difficult autumn, with FA Cup success now among realistic goals. Yet Slot’s long-term outlook remains clear. Szoboszlai’s journey from inconsistent newcomer to midfield leader shows how Liverpool intend to compete domestically and in Europe.

Joyce’s analysis captured this philosophy well, writing that Szoboszlai had become “the poster boy for how an entire club is run.” It is not just about goals or assists. It is about culture, patience, and belief.

For Liverpool supporters — and for writers analysing Slot’s tactical blueprint — Szoboszlai represents more than a standout performer. He is evidence that Liverpool’s next great side may already be forming, quietly and methodically, under a manager determined to prove that development is as important as recruitment.