FC Liverpool midfielder Szoboszlai was interviewed by Sky Sports and spoke about recent changes at FC Liverpool, playing under Arne Slot, working with new signings, the difficulties of last season, and his goal of becoming captain of FC Liverpool. Below is the first part of the interview.

Related reading: [Szoboszlai: I want to stay at FC Liverpool as long as possible, becoming captain is definitely my goal]

Dom, as a professional it's actually difficult to completely switch off when you're not on the training pitch, right? Do you sometimes try to clear your head, and does that feel good?

Yes, but it's actually quite difficult, you know. We rarely get days off. And even when we occasionally get time off, the weather is always bad.

While preparing for this interview, I noticed that when people talk about FC Liverpool this season, the most frequently used word is "transition"—whether it's personnel changes off the pitch or tactical adjustments on it. Let's start off the pitch. As a player, do you really feel the enormous changes? How has this transition been for you?

Changes happen every year, at every stage, which is normal. Well, the new manager coming in is also a major change. In some ways, it has an even bigger impact than some players leaving. New tactical ideas, new ways of playing—we need to adapt as quickly as possible. But don't forget, we are FC Liverpool, so the time given to us to get to know each other has to be very short. We need to get back on the winning path quickly and fight with all our strength for every honor we can compete for.

That's interesting you say that, because Mac Allister recently expressed a similar view. He said there is no transition period at FC Liverpool; you have to win immediately. But do you allow yourself, in your heart, an adjustment phase to adapt to the new system and new manager? Or is that idea simply not in your vocabulary?

That adjustment phase is over.

It's over?

Yes. We've been through preseason and then played our first matches. So it's time; we know each other very well and understand our respective objectives. The manager has made his demands clear and understands his players; we also understand the manager's thinking. So it's time to shine again.

So let's talk about the manager's demands. To perfectly implement his tactical approach, what do you think he wants to see most, both in possession and out of possession?

Give everything, aggression, directness, and courage in one-on-one duels. If you can't last 90 minutes, then give 60 minutes everything, 100% commitment. Then come off, and the next teammate continues the fight.

Is it the same when you're out of possession? Quickly win the ball back, maintain aggressive pressing? What do you think of this playing style?

I love it.

Does it suit your style well?

Yes, it's tailored for me.

Explain why you say it's tailored for you.

Because, you know, I like to tackle hard and press high. Of course, I'd rather have the ball at our feet than the opponent having it, but there will always be times when the opponent has the ball. After all, in the Premier League anything can happen, and opponents are all strong teams; we're not the only ones who are good. So when they have possession, you have to react immediately. And that reaction has to be consistent: "I want to win the ball back." If you want to win the ball back, you have to run hard. So...

There are many attacking players in this FC Liverpool squad. When I watched the match on Saturday, I could clearly sense that everyone had the urge to attack. So who is responsible in crucial transition moments for regaining control of the game's tempo?

I think everyone needs to have this awareness: "If he pushes forward, I need to stay back to cover; if he charges forward, I need to drop back to take his position."

It's a tacit understanding of each other's positions and an overall perspective.

Yes, so we need to increasingly learn to cover for each other. Perhaps it wasn't perfect in recent weeks, but that's also because we weren't used to this rhythm before; everyone was always used to charging forward with full force. But now that everyone is pushing forward, we understand: sometimes when he goes forward, I need to stay back; sometimes when I charge forward, he needs to cover. This is a necessary process of adaptation and learning, but we definitely understand it now.

So the adjustment here is: on one hand, everyone needs to push forward and play more direct; on the other hand, as an individual you sometimes can't blindly attack with full force because you also need to track back and cover.

Yes, exactly.

Regarding the midfield setup, your positioning has changed—you're now playing alongside Gravenberch and Mac Allister in midfield. Has this altered your tactical role? How have your responsibilities in that area shifted?

I'm playing slightly deeper than last season or even before. Like a number eight, sometimes a six, sometimes a ten. I actually play every midfield position. Sometimes I even have to help out as a right-back.

But not now, right? Didn't you say earlier that the manager explicitly stated he doesn't want you playing as a right-back often?

Haha, but just because he said that doesn't mean he won't arrange it if needed.

Right, if circumstances require it.

Exactly, as long as the team needs it, I'm happy to play, and maybe some fans would enjoy seeing me there.

Do you really believe that? They'd like to see you as a right-back?

I don't know, you'd have to ask them. But I do everything for the team. If the team needs me in that position, I'm happy to do it. Still, our current squad is roughly the same as last season, but for example my role has changed a bit—I've moved deeper; Mac Allister's role has also shifted, his positioning is further back too; last season he played more as an eight, but now I'd say he's more of a six. It depends on who's on the pitch, and then we adapt and cooperate with each other.

Regarding Mac Allister, you once said that playing with him is like working with family; you almost always know his runs and intentions. Does it take time to build that understanding? And how do you develop that feeling with your new teammates around you? Because your connection with some teammates already looks very good, but with so many new faces, it must have taken a while to build those connections, right?

Sometimes it's easy, sometimes it's a bit more difficult. For example, Mac Allister and I had great chemistry from day one. I think that's also the case with Ronald (R. Araújo) as right-back; we understand each other perfectly.

Übersetzt von KI.

Die AF-Website ist jetzt online! Vollständige Nachrichten, Kommentare, Spieldetails und Statistiken auf dem Computer. Besuchen Sie: www.allfootballapp.com