The start of Liverpool’s 2025/2026 season under Arne Slot has been marked by inconsistency, although the team remains at the top of the Premier League table.
Recent defeats and a series of unconvincing performances have triggered questions about the new tactical structure and the integration of summer signings like Florian Wirtz and Alexander Isak.
The defense, in particular, showed fragility, struggling with set pieces and counter-attacks, a stark contrast to the solidity of the previous victorious campaign.
As the team struggles with these tactical crossroads and a perceived lack of control in midfield, one player has shined through the collective struggles: Dominik Szoboszlai.
Dominik Szoboszlai’s impressive stats for Liverpool this season
The Hungarian midfielder, often praised for his high work rate, proves his immense value in both the offensive and defensive phases of the match.
His stats show monumental effort and productivity during a difficult time. As pressure mounts on Slot to find a solution to the tactical imbalance, Szoboszlai’s relentless performances are a crucial silver lining.
Szoboszlai’s impressive season stats reveal a player operating at the highest level, leading the team in several key metrics. His overall contribution highlights him as Liverpool’s most influential midfielder so far.
The 24-year-old leads Liverpool in progressive passes (56), demonstrating his ability to consistently advance the ball into dangerous areas.
In addition, his offensive dynamism is manifested by the fact that he has the most shot creation actions (33).
This result is essentially matched by his defensive work rate: he has the most tackles won (15) and the most tackles and interceptions combined (25).
?? Dominik Szoboszlai for Liverpool so far this season:
– Most progressive passes (56)
– Most plan creation actions (33)
– Most tackles won (15)
– Most tackles and interceptions (25)
– Most recoveries (56)
– Most carry in the last third (22)What a player. pic.twitter.com/7EpjtUpuzK
– Bence sorry (@benboo) October 7, 2025
Szoboszlai also leads the league in recoveries (56) and holds his own in the final third (22), cementing his status as the complete midfielder the team desperately needs.
Liverpool manager Arne Slot needs to get back to basics
The brilliance of Szoboszlai’s individual statistics only further exposes the current tactical problems.
Last season, the core midfield of Szoboszlai, Ryan Gravenberch and Alexis Mac Allister provided the structure and energy that helped win the title.
However, the arrival of record player Florian Wirtz and a tactical change from Arne Slot appear to have disrupted this successful balance, leaving the defense vulnerable.
The tactical adjustments have also had a noticeable effect on Mohamed Salah, who is less involved in matches, a worrying trend given his world-class pedigree.
Ironically, Salah enjoyed his best individual campaign last season under Slot’s management, crediting the Dutchman with unleashing his consistency.
But the latest changes have had the opposite effect, snuffing out Liverpool’s most dangerous outlet.
With three consecutive defeats already on the clock, Slot must quickly rediscover the formula that has made Liverpool so formidable or risk seeing their season unraveled before it even reaches the halfway mark.
