Liverpool 4-1 Ipswich
by James Nalton
at Anfield

HUNGARIAN attacking midfielder Dominik Szoboszlai stood out in Liverpool’s 4-1 win at home to Ipswich on Saturday.

The 24-year-old scored the opening goal and helped produce another with a display of great quality and hard work from a central attacking position.

Liverpool manager Arne Slot believes Szoboszlai does not always get the credit he deserves for the work he puts in for the team, but in games like this, the attacking highlights make the defensive work rate more evident.

Slot also commented on Szoboszlai’s increased confidence in front of goal as the season has gone on.

“I think at the beginning of the season he would have played that ball to Mo [Salah], which was most of the time a very good choice because Mo can score a goal as well!” said Slot.

“Now he decided to go for himself and score the goal himself.

“It’s nice for him because, in my opinion, he’s a bit underrated. Not by me, but he doesn’t always get the credit for the fact he’s very important for this team because his work rate is unbelievable.

“He just keeps on running with the highest intensity, and that is so important for a team that wants to compete for something.”

For the opening goal, Ibrahima Konate’s pass from midfield put Ipswich in trouble and Szoboszlai did the rest, turning inside onto his left foot and finding the bottom corner from just outside the area.

Szoboszlai will not get the assist for Liverpool’s third goal, scored by Cody Gakpo, but he helped create it.

He made a striker’s run into the six-yard box on the end of a good pass from Ryan Gravenberch before seeing his shot saved and the rebound turned in by Gakpo.

In Slot’s Liverpool setup, the most attacking midfielder is often stationed alongside the striker, so there could be more assists and goals to come from Szoboszlai this season.

The league leaders will certainly be hoping that is the case in the next two league games as they face tough tests on the road against Bournemouth and Everton.