Liverpool supporters have expressed their concern for one key player’s future under Andoni Iraola following the 1-0 loss against Arsenal on Sunday.
The Gunners sealed a first win at Anfield since 2012, with Kai Havertz converting Declan Rice’s low cross at the back post. Iraola’s side showed plenty of fight in the contest, but couldn’t manage a single shot on target.
Despite an acceptance that the Merseysiders are still a work in progress under the new head coach, many fans have questioned one of his substitutions.
Andoni Iraola Substitution ‘Kills Liverpool’s Momentum’
Iraola showed a lot of bravery to hand 19-year-old Trey Nyoni his first-ever Premier League start after some impressive showings in the Champions League and Carabao Cup. Especially when Dominik Szoboszlai and Ryan Gravenberch were both available.
However, Nyoni showed composure in the middle of the park alongside Alexis Mac Allister after a nervy opening few minutes. In his 58 minutes on the pitch, the youngster completed 54 of his attempted 56 passes (96%), won the ball back three times and only lost it on four occasions.
His replacement, Szoboszlai, appeared to take away some of the control Liverpoolhad established in the game. Daniel Sturridge, on Sky Sports’ panel for the game, even said: “We [Liverpool] lost more control when Trey Nyoni came off.”
Many fans agreed with that assessment, and aimed their frustrations at Szoboszlai. In comparison, the Hungarian completed just 82% of his passes (27 out of 33). He also lost the ball 11 times, almost three times more than Nyoni in less game time.
Liverpool Fans Lash Out at Szoboszlai
REUTERS/Phil Noble
Taking to social media, lots of Liverpool fans pointed out that the Hungarian captain isn’t as suited to the two-in-midfield role he’s being asked to carry out.
One X user said: “A midfield 2 with Szoboszlai is not going to work. Don’t know why we keep trying it. His best position for now is 10 or RW.”
Another added: “Very worried about Szoboszlai. Seems crazy to say that of the best set-piece and long-range strike threat in Europe, perhaps the world. But he’s sticking out like a sore thumb.”
Szoboszlai and Gravenberch are among Liverpool’s top earners, and one fan thinks one will need to leave: “One of Szoboszlai and Ryan needs to leave next summer. You can be on £300k per week and offer little on the pitch; both of them are so limited.
Several fans echoed Sturridge’s words, with one claiming: “Szoboszlai has such a unique ability to kill momentum,” before another said: “Was very good until we replaced our best player with someone I’m now just gonna refer to as him.”
“Sell Szoboszlai. I’m being dead serious, we don’t need him. He’s useless in this system.”