Man of the Match: ‘Superb’ Liverpool star shines despite defeat to Man City | OneFootball

Liverpool 1 – 2 Manchester City – Premier League Man of the Match

There are games where a player’s influence is obvious through goals and assists, and others where their value is revealed through responsibility, sacrifice, and control in uncomfortable circumstances. This was firmly the latter for Dominik Szoboszlai, who once again found himself operating far from his natural habitat yet still emerged as Liverpool’s most authoritative performer on a frustrating afternoon at Anfield.

Playing at right-back is not where Szoboszlai should be spending his prime years, but it increasingly feels like Arne Slot takes comfort in placing his most reliable athlete wherever the structure is weakest. With Conor Bradley sidelined, Jeremie Frimpong injured once more, and Joe Gomez only just returning to fitness, the Hungarian was asked to reprise his role as the emergency solution — the closest thing this squad has to replicating the all-encompassing influence once provided by Trent Alexander-Arnold.

Pep Guardiola’s selection made it clear what Manchester City’s plan would be. This was an aggressive, front-foot City side designed to pin Liverpool deep and limit Szoboszlai’s ability to drive into midfield. The duel with Antoine Semenyo was constant and physical, yet Szoboszlai more than held his own. His defensive awareness, timing in the tackle, and willingness to engage ensured that Liverpool’s right side did not collapse under pressure — no small feat given the calibre of opposition.

What stood out most was the discipline. Szoboszlai rarely vacated his position unnecessarily, resisted the urge to chase the game emotionally, and chose his moments carefully. That restraint paid off late in the second half when, finally allowed to step into space, he produced a moment of elite quality. The long-range free kick, struck with venom and precision, crashed off the post beyond a helpless Donnarumma. It was a goal worthy of winning any Premier League match and should have been the decisive moment.

Instead, it became another chapter in a growing list of what-ifs. Liverpool failed to shut the game down, failed to regain control, and failed to manage the closing stages with authority. Manchester City capitalised ruthlessly, scoring twice late on to steal all three points from a contest that Liverpool had in their grasp.

The most bitter twist came with VAR intervention in stoppage time, as Szoboszlai was dismissed in circumstances that defied logic. Pulling back Haaland while attempting to recover, the Liverpool man was punished rather than seeing the moment protected, draining the final moments of energy and overshadowing what had been a superb individual display.

Virgil van Dijk and Ibrahima Konaté were strong throughout, while Milos Kerkez battled well on the opposite flank, but the same familiar issue lingered. There was a lack of composure, a lack of game management, and a lack of clarity from the touchline when control was required most. Once again, Liverpool were left asking why a winnable game was allowed to drift.

Szoboszlai did everything asked of him and more. He defended, he led, and he nearly won the game single-handedly from an unnatural position. In a side searching for certainty, he remains the one constant — the player you trust when the structure begins to creak.

Steven Smith’s Pre-match Prediction:

Liverpool 2 – 1 Manchester City