Premier League1 hour ago2 minute read

Szoboszlai Silences Critics and Focuses on Bournemouth Clash

Liverpool midfielder Dominik Szoboszlai has brushed off recent criticism after scoring a brilliant goal in his team's 3-1 win over Tottenham.

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Brushing Off the Noise

Liverpool midfielder Dominik Szoboszlai is not letting recent criticism get to him. After some lacklustre displays in midfield, the player responded in style on Tuesday night. He scored a wonder goal in Liverpool's 3-1 victory against Tottenham Hotspur.

The midfielder claimed he was unaware of the negative talk surrounding his form before the match. "Was there a criticism?" he asked. "I don't know, I didn't see but thanks for telling me."

He explained that the goal against Spurs was dedicated to those who support him. Szoboszlai noted that players are only human and are bound to have bad days. He believes that the most important thing is how a player reacts to a poor performance. He felt his reaction against Tottenham was strong and hopes to carry that momentum into the upcoming Sunday fixture against Bournemouth.

Finding the Right Role

Much of the debate around Szoboszlai has focused on where he fits best in Andoni Iraola's midfield. During a 0-0 draw with Fulham last weekend, the midfielder struggled, winning just one of his 10 duels. This led to questions about his suitability for the team's new look setup.

Under Iraola, Liverpool plays with one 6, one 8, and one 10. Szoboszlai explained that the 6 and the 8 do not play next to each other. Instead, the 8 plays a bit higher, the 6 sits deeper, and the 10 is even higher up the pitch.

Szoboszlai has already played in several positions, including the No. 6, No. 8, No. 10, and No. 7 roles. He also mentioned playing as a No. 2. When asked if he has a favorite position, he said he just wants to be on the pitch.

He argued that his duel statistics do not tell the whole story. While he only won one duel against Fulham, he could easily win eight out of 10 in the next match. For him, it is about balance and focusing on the next game rather than dwelling on the past.

What it means for the next game

AFC Bournemouth vs Liverpool (Premier League, Sun, 20 Sep): AFC Bournemouth win 33%, draw 25%, Liverpool win 42%; expected goals 1.46 to 1.66. Our safest pick: Over 1.5 goals.