It is damage season at Anfield. Liverpool had largely swerved any big-impact damage blows all through the maiden part of 2023/24 however Joel Matip’s season-ending anterior cruciate rupture in December opened a cataract of setbacks.
By and huge, Jurgen Klopp‘s aspect have ensured that any absences haven’t been detrimental to the membership’s progress this season, first place within the Premier League, into the Carabao Cup, internet hosting Championship opposition within the FA Cup fifth spherical and favourites within the Europa League.
Nevertheless, Sunday’s insipid efficiency on the Emirates handed Arsenal a serious enhance in their very own title aspirations and leaves Manchester Metropolis poised to leapfrog the Reds into high spot, ought to they win their sport in hand.
Fatigue appeared to have crept in and the absences of Mohamed Salah, Wataru Endo and rising star Conor Bradley inhibited the fluency that has been so spectacular this season.
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Trent Alexander-Arnold and Dominik Szoboszlai had simply returned from accidents too, with Klopp’s woes now compounded by a recurrence of the latter’s hamstring subject.
Dominik Szoboszlai damage replace
Liverpool began 2024 off with an almighty bang after dispatching Newcastle United 4-2 within the Premier League on New Yr’s Day, however victory got here at a price as Szoboszlai was withdrawn after the hour mark with a muscular downside, lacking the following 4 matches in all competitions.
Fortunately, Liverpool averted any slip-ups throughout that interval and superior to the Carabao Cup last after a double-legged victory over Fulham, however Szoboszlai’s absence was felt towards Arsenal final day trip, along with his alternative, Ryan Gravenberch, producing an ineffectual show in his stead, taking simply 24 touches and failing to make a single sort out.
Klopp appeared to insinuate that the Hungary captain’s absence within the capital was a precautionary measure – “we can not take any danger” – however current information means that he may now face 4 weeks within the medical room.
Journalist Bence Bocsak, Szoboszlai’s compatriot, has since eased fears and claimed that the problem is not as extreme as experiences counsel, however a alternative will must be established regardless.
Szoboszlai’s Liverpool profession up to now
Szoboszlai joined Liverpool from RB Leipzig in a £60m deal final summer time after dazzling in Germany, successful successive DFB Pokals and posting 42 objective contributions from 91 appearances.
Taking to life on Merseyside seamlessly, Szoboszlai has been instrumental in restoring the engine room, influential and alacritous, each in possession and out.
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As per FBref, the 23-year-old ranks among the many high 16% of midfielders throughout Europe’s high 5 leagues over the previous 12 months for targets, the highest 2% for shot-creating actions, the highest 6% for progressive carries, the highest 8% for profitable take-ons and the highest 11% for blocks per 90.
Dubbed the “Hungarian artist” by expertise scout Jacek Kulig, he has began 20 matches within the high flight this time period, finishing 88% of his passes and averaging 1.8 key passes, 1.4 tackles and 6.3 ball recoveries per outing, as per Sofascore.
In all competitions, the £120k-per-week ace has scored 5 targets and provided 4 assists throughout 28 fixtures, although his import to worth inside Liverpool’s system stretches past his direct return.
With fearsome capturing abilities and technical brilliance, Szoboszlai will not be simply changed, as evidenced by Gravenberch’s efficiency within the capital.
That mentioned, Liverpool have largely been advantageous in the course of the January interval, gruelling and a sticking level for a lot of groups every year, and there might be optimism that Szoboszlai’s setback doesn’t ravage the upcoming endeavours.
Gravenberch and Harvey Elliott might be hoping to earn begins, however this may current an amazing alternative for Klopp to supply teenage expertise Bobby Clark with elevated duty.
Szoboszlai’s shock alternative
Clark made his Liverpool debut off the bench in a 9-0 rout over Bournemouth within the early stage of the 2022/23 season however has began to earn constant possibilities this time period, that includes 4 instances after the break.
Excelling within the Premier League 2, the 18-year-old has clinched two targets and 4 assists from simply six outings because the summer time and is now able to obtain his very first beginning berth.
Clark had mortgage gives on the desk from quite a few outfits however Klopp determined that the previous Magpies starlet was to stay at Anfield for the rest of the marketing campaign, bespeaking his potential as a starring member of Liverpool’s squad down the road.
Simply in the future away from his nineteenth birthday, Clark may now begin to push for a maiden Premier League begin after his appearances up to now.
Beforehand lauded for his “baggage of talent and expertise” by The Chronicle’s Lee Ryder, the prospect is elegant, clever and inventive and should harness such qualities and produce them to the fore.
Liverpool’s improvement head coach, Barry Lewtas, has additionally taken observe of his meteoric rise and has mentioned: “He’s extraordinarily proficient and his urgent is superb. He’s been a extremely good participant for us, however I additionally suppose he’s made large strides as properly, huge enhancements, and that’s what he’s going to must proceed to do.”
His glorious urgent capability will undoubtedly be one of many chief causes behind Klopp’s determination at hand him these common alternatives among the many first-team, and with the industrious Curtis Jones alongside him, there isn’t any cause why Clark could not produce efficiency in Szoboszlai’s place.
In fact, he is nonetheless largely untested on the main stage and his supervisor might be cautious of inserting too heavy a load on his shoulders, however everybody begins someplace and Clark is now able to ascend to prominence on the coronary heart of Liverpool’s workforce.