Liverpool’s Turbulent Moment: Pat Nevin’s Honest Truth About Szoboszlai and the Champions’ Struggles
Liverpool find themselves in one of those moments when everything feels heavy, uncertain, and loud. The defending champions — who only months ago lifted the Premier League title with fire and joy — are now surrounded by questions. In pubs, on social media, on the radio, and even inside Anfield, everyone seems to have an opinion about what’s gone wrong.
And then came a voice that cut through the noise — former Chelsea and Everton winger Pat Nevin, a respected football analyst unafraid to tell hard truths. Looking closely at Liverpool’s recent form, Nevin made a surprising claim: Dominik Szoboszlai, widely regarded as the Reds’ best performer this season, might also be one of their biggest tactical problems.
At first, it sounded unfair. Szoboszlai has been Liverpool’s most consistent and determined player in a rough start to the campaign. But Nevin’s observation came not from criticism, but understanding — from years of watching great teams lose their balance. His point was simple: sometimes a team’s brightest spark can mask deeper flaws.
Liverpool’s season has been unforgiving. Their fixture list reads like a gauntlet — five of their seven opponents sitting in the top half of the table, with even those lower down, like Newcastle, stronger than they appear. Yet despite all this, they remain just one point behind leaders Arsenal. On paper, not disastrous. But on the pitch, something feels off.
Under Arne Slot, the team’s identity is shifting. The swagger and intensity that defined the Klopp era have faded. Before the international break, Liverpool suffered three straight defeats — not just damaging results, but dispiriting performances. The spark was gone, the pressing half-hearted, the confidence replaced by hesitation. Even Mohamed Salah, the ever-reliable talisman, looked weighed down.
The loss to Chelsea hit hardest. Not because of the scoreline, but because Liverpool looked ordinary — second to every challenge, short on energy, short on ideas. For a club that demands dominance, that hurt deeply.
Nevin, observing closely, pointed to the tactical imbalance behind the decline. “Szoboszlai’s been their best player,” he said, “but he’s not a full-back. I could write a book about the mistakes he’s made playing there.”
The Hungarian has been forced into unfamiliar roles — right-back, wide midfield, even deep defensive positions — and though he’s performed admirably, it’s exposed Liverpool’s structural fragility. His effort and versatility have kept the team afloat, but they also reveal how stretched the system has become.
Nevin also highlighted Salah’s defensive shortcomings. “As brilliant as Salah is,” he explained, “he’s not helping his full-back, and that’s a real issue for Slot.” In today’s game, wingers are expected to defend, but Salah’s instinct is always to attack. The imbalance between creativity and cover has made Liverpool vulnerable — not because of individual laziness, but because the system hasn’t yet clicked.
Behind the scenes, things are equally unsettled. New signings Alexander Isak and Florian Wirtz have yet to fully adapt, leaving the attack disjointed. Nevin suggested the team feels like an orchestra missing its rhythm — too many talented soloists, not enough harmony.
As Liverpool prepare for a crucial clash with Manchester United after the international break, the tension is palpable. It’s not just about rivalry — it’s about identity. Can Slot reawaken belief and restore balance before the season drifts away?
Nevin doesn’t think Liverpool will dominate the league this year. He praised Arsenal’s cohesion and composure but reminded everyone of one vital difference: experience. “The biggest thing Liverpool have over Arsenal,” he said, “is that they know they can win the league. Arsenal only think they can.”
That line felt both comforting and challenging. Liverpool’s history is built on comebacks — on nights when belief defied logic. This may just be another chapter in that story. But Slot must fix the imbalance, stop misusing players, and reignite the hunger that once defined his side.
Szoboszlai has become a symbol of both Liverpool’s fight and their flaws — tireless, courageous, but overburdened. He’s being asked to be everywhere, do everything, and cover for everyone. It’s not his fault; it’s a reflection of a team searching for structure.
Slot, to his credit, hasn’t blamed anyone. He knows the squad is stretched and the rebuild still fragile. But the Premier League is unforgiving. Chelsea’s narrow win — with a makeshift defence — only underlined how far Liverpool have slipped from their usual dominance.
Still, Nevin ended with hope. Football, he said, can change quickly. One performance, one spark, and everything looks different again. Arsenal may have the depth; Liverpool have the memory of triumph. And belief — the one thing this club has never lacked for long.
Because at Anfield, belief isn’t a tactic. It’s oxygen.