Liverpool harbors a player in Dominik Szoboszlai who, under Jürgen Klopp’s guidance, could step into a David Beckham-style role, potentially filling the void left by Mohamed Salah in the future. As Salah approaches 32, with the final year of his contract looming, the prospect of a lucrative offer, particularly from Saudi Arabia, might prompt Liverpool to consider parting ways with the Egyptian star. The challenge for Klopp then becomes how to replace the formidable presence of Salah.
Salah has been the linchpin of Liverpool’s system since his arrival, primarily operating on the right-wing with remarkable consistency and quality. However, envisioning a direct replacement in the modern game proves elusive. Klopp might consider a strategic shift, transforming the right-wing role into something distinct. Enter Dominik Szoboszlai, a player with experience as a right-sided midfielder and the potential to revive the iconic David Beckham role in contemporary football.
While Trent Alexander-Arnold has been likened to Beckham, his recent role inverting to the middle creates space for another creator on the right. Szoboszlai, having played as a right-sided midfielder previously, possesses the attributes to thrive in this capacity. His ability to deliver precise crosses and pose a threat from set-pieces aligns with the modern-day Beckham archetype. Former manager Jesse Marsch even dubbed Szoboszlai as the “modern-day David Beckham,” praising his precision, pace, mobility, and dynamism.
Though Szoboszlai has showcased more work-rate than creativity in Liverpool’s midfield, a positional shift to the right could unlock his unique qualities. Klopp has recently introduced taller and physically robust attackers like Cody Gakpo (1.93 meters) and Darwin Núñez (1.87 meters), providing Szoboszlai with ideal targets. This tactical adjustment could offer Liverpool a fresh dimension, potentially mitigating the impact of Salah’s departure and introducing a new chapter in Klopp’s tactical evolution.
