Dominic Szoboszlai: Liverpool's Emergency Right-Back Solution
Andoni Iraola is ready to dip back into one of Liverpool’s most unusual – and valuable – resources if his defence keeps creaking: Dominic Szoboszlai, emergency right-back.
The Hungarian was Liverpool’s standout performer last season, crowned player of the year after racking up 25 goal contributions – 13 goals and 12 assists – in 53 games. He did that while spending long stretches shunted away from his preferred attacking midfield role, often plugging gaps on the right side of defence.
That experiment might not be over.
Szoboszlai’s versatility back on the table
With injuries stacking up and Liverpool’s full-back depth already under strain, Iraola openly admitted he has discussed a return to right-back with Szoboszlai.
“I haven’t found any situation where a player has said he doesn’t want to play in a position,” Iraola said on Thursday. “We have discussions, but everyone wants to help. If we have to play Dom as a right winger, as a right-back or a midfielder, he wants to help the team first.”
The need is obvious. Conor Bradley is out, and Jeremie Frimpong has been exposed defensively in the opening two games. Liverpool even tried to scramble a late solution on deadline day, testing Chelsea’s resolve with a move that was quickly shut down by the London club.
No new right-back arrived. So the solution may once again come from within.
“We have some injuries now, and we need the versatility of the players, players like Dom,” Iraola added. “Even in the game, they have to change positions.”
No complaints over quiet window
Despite the lack of late activity and the clear issues at full-back, Iraola refused to criticise the club’s transfer business after the £123m signing of Bradley Barcola.
“I’m very happy with the signings we made,” he insisted. “Do I want more signings? At the end, the club has decided those signings we have done are the ones that will improve our team.
“There were other options we decided not to take for different reasons, sometimes sporting or economic; the deal didn’t make sense in the market. But I’m happy now.
“We have a lot of quality in the team. The moment is for the players to give it all they have.”
The message is clear: the squad is set, and the solutions must be found on the training pitch, not in the market.
Right-back puzzle and midfield choices
Iraola did not hide the fact that right-back is his biggest headache.
“The challenge in the squad now is we don’t have Conor [Bradley] there at right-back. That’s why I value Dom at right-back, as he can play there,” he said. “Versatility in the player helps us go through the moments when we have injuries.”
While the back line looks stretched, Iraola believes he is well stocked in the middle of the pitch.
“In midfield we have good numbers. Now it’s a matter of getting the right calls from myself.
“I’m finding now the best combinations, and we are going through a period now where we will play a lot of games, and we’ll have a chance to see the options we have and the combinations we have. It’s a matter of coaching.”
Square pegs in round holes may become a familiar sight at Anfield over the coming weeks, with Iraola leaning heavily on tactical flexibility and players willing to sacrifice their preferred roles.
Injuries biting early
The injury list is already shaping Liverpool’s season. Iraola outlined where his walking wounded stand.
“The closest one [to playing again] is Joe [Gomez]. He will start training with us next week,” he revealed.
“Next one is [Giovanni] Leoni; he could be training during the break with the group. Conor [Bradley] is next, and, especially Hugo, longer.”
Until those names are back, Iraola will have to improvise. And that may mean one of Liverpool’s most creative forces once again patrolling the touchline as a makeshift full-back, carrying the burden of both artistry and emergency cover in a squad being tested early in the campaign.
