Newcastle United is reportedly pulling out of the race to sign midfielder Dominik Szoboszlai from RB Leipzig, giving Liverpool a big advantage.
The Reds were initially doubtful about their chances of sealing a deal, but according to David Ornstein of The Athletic, they are now optimistic that a deal can be struck. According to Sky Sports, Newcastle has dropped out of the running since the player has said he wants Liverpool.
It is unclear whether Liverpool will exercise Szoboszlai’s $76 million (£60 million/€70 million) release clause in Leipzig or try to negotiate a cheaper price.
If Liverpool is successful, he will join Alexis MacAllister as the club’s second acquisition of the summer and the most recent component of the much-anticipated midfield overhaul.
The Reds will probably use the 22-year-old in an offensive midfield position, but during his career, he has shown himself to be incredibly adaptable, playing as a number eight, number 10, and as a winger on both flanks.
Here, Liverpool.com examines three alternative positions Szoboszlai, along with a few new players, may fill in Jürgen Klopp’s starting lineup.
OPTION ONE: Alisson; Konaté, Van Dijk, Inacio; Alexander-Arnold, Fabinho, Szoboszlai, Mac Allister; Salah, Gakpo, Díaz
Right now, it seems like the Hungarian would suit best in the number eight position on the right side. In Klopp’s new system, that player is frequently given greater offensive freedom, and a specialist like Szoboszlai would be capable of noteworthy performance based on his total of 10 goals and 13 assists last season.
To give Szoboszlai the freedom to move around, Trent Alexander-Arnold would sit in a double pivot with Fabinho, with all-arounder Mac Allister providing balance on the left.
Andy Robertson’s inability to play as a left center-back when Liverpool is in possession has some calling for Klopp to add a stronger defensive presence to the left side of his defense. Gonçalo Inácio, who briefly filled that role for Sporting last season and is on Liverpool’s shortlist, is one prospective contender (according to David Lynch/Football Insider).
Cody Gakpo and Luis Dáz are the closest imitators of Roberto Firmino and Sadio Mané, the gold standard when it comes to attacking line-ups, while Mohamed Salah is a lock to play in the frontline.
OPTION TWO: Alisson; Alexander-Arnold, Konaté, Van Dijk, Robertson; Koné, Szoboszlai, Mac Allister; Salah, Gakpo, Díaz
Additionally, it’s possible that Alexander-Arnold won’t always be pushed into the middle of the field by Klopp, who may instead use him in his more natural full-back position.
Due of Szoboszlai’s position as a deeper number eight, Liverpool would be reduced to a three-man midfield rather than a “box.” Manu Koné of Borussia Mönchengladbach, one of the team’s defensive midfield targets, would handle the most of the work with assistance from Mac Allister.
OPTION THREE: Alisson; Konaté, Van Dijk, Robertson; Alexander-Arnold, Fabinho, Thuram, Mac Allister; Szoboszlai, Gakpo, Díaz
Szoboszlai might perhaps not be used at all as a midfielder by Klopp. According to The Athletic’s first report, Khéphren Thuram of Nice is another player the club is actively pursuing. Although he too may be most suited to play as the right-sided number eight, the manager may be able to include both players in the starting lineup.
Salah seldom sustains an injury, but if Klopp wants to rest him, possibly in the Europa League, he might move Szoboszlai to the right wing, where he was a key player for Leipzig last year, and alter the appearance of the midfield ‘box’.
