Dominik Szoboszlai Openly Acknowledges Liverpool Criticism
Dominik Szoboszlai has acknowledged that he has failed to maintain the promising start to his Liverpool career as he reflects on his debut season at the club. The Hungarian, who joined the Reds from RB Leipzig for £60 million last summer, enjoyed a stellar beginning at Anfield.
After returning from his latest setback in early March, Szoboszlai struggled to recapture his earlier form. Like several of Jurgen Klopp's players returning from injury, his comeback coincided with Liverpool's collapse in the title race and premature exits from the Europa League and FA Cup.
The 23-year-old admitted that he might have set unrealistic expectations for himself and explained the adjustments he has had to make to adapt to Premier League football.
"This strong start gave me a significant boost," Szoboszlai confessed to MLSZ TV. "Perhaps I set the bar too high, because there were games where I couldn't perform at my best. There were times when I didn't play well, and some people saw me as the weakest player on the field. But it's not a problem because we overcome these challenges together.
"We're not here to settle for mid-table or fight against relegation but to contend for the Premier League title. I can only say that the Premier League is faster. Here, you have less time to think compared to the Bundesliga. You need to know what you want to do with the ball before receiving it because if you don't, you're almost certain to fail.
With seven goals and four assists in 43 appearances so far, Szoboszlai's recent dip in form has led to him losing his place in Liverpool's starting XI. He has only been in the starting lineup for two of the Reds' last seven matches.
Despite his eagerness to shine and capitalize on any chances to reclaim his spot, the Hungarian captain acknowledges the importance of focusing on his own game, recognizing that squad management is an integral part of life at Anfield, regardless of form.
"It's probably in your head that I've got my opportunity and I want to take it," he said. "So I need to show something extra special so I keep my place for the next match. It doesn't work like this, though, and certainly I needed time to realize this. The more clearly you realize this and try to play your own game, the better.
despite external criticism, Szoboszlai emphasizes that he only accepts critiques of his performances from manager Klopp, his coaches and senior teammates, and his own father.
"I accept critiques of my play from (my father) and from my coaches too," he said. "So these two or three people are the ones I'm always ready to listen to.
"Naturally, that goes for an older player too, if there's one in the team who tries to help, not necessarily in regard to things that shouldn't be done that way but rather that I should focus on certain aspects of my football life and not just those to do with games, but also aspects such as what I do before, during, and after training.
"At the start, it was Trent (Alexander-Arnold) and it still is him, but as I've settled into the team, I can say it's (Mohamed) Salah too. I've found common ground with everyone, so I can talk with everyone. Everyone gets on well with each other and although there aren't many group events, when there is, everyone is there."