Late Szoboszlai magic seals Liverpool win as Arsenal pay the price for a reshaped defence
Arsenal expected a tight battle from the start.
Liverpool rolled out a surprising shape with Dominik Szoboszlai at right back after Jeremie Frimpong’s injury.
The Hungarian, usually an attacking midfielder, showed why Slot trusts him in a wing back role.
He absorbed the challenge of Gabriel Martinelli and adapted quickly to Eberechi Eze, who posed a greater threat than the man he replaced.
Szoboszlai remained calm and collected throughout the match.
He defended well and delivered long and short passes, shifting Liverpool’s tempo as Alexander-Arnold often does.
The moment of class decided the game, and Szoboszlai earned credit for how he has adapted to Slot’s plan and the needs of his teammates.
For Arsenal, the night underscored the value of their pressing shape and buildup rotations, and the way fullbacks can influence the opposition’s structure.
Meanwhile the verdict will linger on the tactical flexibility shown by Liverpool, and the way a single sequence can tilt a tight fixture.
As ever with Arsenal, there is learning in defeat and hunger for the next test, especially when the table tightens and rivals sharpen their tools.
TLDR:
Dominik Szoboszlai
Liverpool