Arne Slot hails Dominik Szoboszlai and reflects on Liverpool’s 1-0 win over Arsenal at Anfield
Arne Slot hailed “unbelievable” Dominik Szoboszlai as the embodiment of what a Liverpool player should be after his stunning free-kick beat Arsenal at Anfield on Sunday. In a game devoid of chances, it was Szoboszlai who settled it the way of the Premier League champions as they beat last year’s runners-up 1-0 to maintain their 100% start to the campaign to head into the international break as leaders.
Slot said the uneventful match might usually have ended in a draw but he praised Szoboszlai for his goal and his all-round display as the Hungary captain once more played out of position at right-back.
“If we play this game 10 times more in the same fashion then I think it is eight times a draw, we win it one and Arsenal win it one,” the Reds head coach said.
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“It was an uneventful game, which is sometimes positive as well because both teams are really good in rest-defence and defending.
“But I think normally Arsenal and us are able to create more chances. But it also tells you something about the structure and the amount of discipline both teams have without the ball.
“Then you need a moment of magic that we got from Dominik. That resulted in us winning it which normally would have been a draw.
“I don’t think he changed at all in the first few games compared to what he did last season.
“I think he has always been a player that understands what a Liverpool player should look like, if you wear the shirt you should always give everything, no matter what position you play.
“As a midfielder, he is always the first to track back. To press high and today I don’t think he did anything wrong, he was unbelievable in a position he has only played two or three times in his life.
“So that tells you a lot about his mentality, he played really well as he has played so well as an attacking midfielder as well.”
Slot added: “In the meantime we have nine points from three games where we won five points last season. But I do know and understand that we can do better.
“The positive thing is some people thought we were too open against Bournemouth and you couldn’t say we were too open today.
“I said it was uneventful, but you could use another word boring because both teams hardly created any chances.”
