Arne Slot told to stop Dominik Szoboszlai experiment and drop Liverpool first team star in major shake-up

Arne Slot needs to stop playing Dominik Szoboszlai in midfield and drop Cody Gakpo to get the best out of Liverpool.

That’s the opinion of the panel on talkSPORT’s Inside Liverpool show, who have called for some big changes to be made.

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Szoboszlai has been labelled as one of the best players in the world this season for his incredible performances for the Reds.

However, despite his form, the Hungarian midfielder is still being played out of position by manager Arne Slot.

He has started seven games this term at right-back, covering for injuries to Jeremie Frimpong and Conor Bradley.

The 25-year-old played there against Nottingham Forest on Sunday, with Liverpool struggling to break down their opponents, having to rely on a last-gasp winner from Alexis Mac Allister in the end.

Szoboszlai still provided five key passes from defence, as he often moved forward into midfield from his deeper position.

But talkSPORT’s Sam Ellard, Jermaine Pennant and Paul Smith believe that the experiment should end to allow him more freedom to score goals and create chances for his side.

Ellard said: “With Joe Gomez available, it was strange that he played there. He’s got 10 goals and seven assists in all competitions.

“How many more would he have had if he were playing further up the pitch?

“In the first part of the season, I didn’t mind him trying that and moving into midfield, but I think Ryan Gravenberch and Alexis Mac Allister this season aren’t looking anywhere near the players of old.

“And then you’ve got our best midfielder playing at right-back, it does seem like a massive waste of talent.”

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Pennant added: “If you put Dom there, you’re losing a box-to-box player for starters, who gets up there.

“You’re losing energy, he likes to get around the pitch, and you’re losing that attacking prowess of someone who can strike a ball.

“No one else can hit a ball like Szoboszlai in the team, so you’re losing a lot just to compensate someone playing at right-back, and right-back is not a key position, especially if you want to score goals.”

Potential solution?

Looking for a potential fix to the right-back issue, Smith later asked: “Andy Robertson, could he not just go and play at right-back?”

Pennant agreed, saying: “He can easily do a job at right-back, easily.”

Robertson, who almost made a surprise move to Tottenham in January, is now back-up to Milos Kerkez at left-back.

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He is playing a role off the bench these days, but the Inside Liverpool panel believe he’d be more than able to switch sides.

That could be one solution for Slot, but he also has Gomez, Frimpong and Bradley, who are more natural on the right.

Of course, the latter two are currently injured, but Gomez was a substitute against Forest, with Szoboszlai preferred at the back.

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Drop Gakpo, start Ngumoha

On top of Szoboszlai’s situation, Slot has been told to make a change further up the pitch to his wingers too.

17-year-old rising star Rio Ngumoha came off the bench to make a huge impact for Liverpool in their win over Forest.

Ngumoha completed more dribbles, attempted more dribbles and created more chances than Mohamed Salah and Cody Gakpo combined in just 13 minutes on Sunday.

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And that performance has led to calls for him to get a start and for out-of-form Gakpo to be dropped to accommodate the teenager.

But Ngumoha has never been brought on by Slot before the 70th minute, only being given more than 10 minutes to make an impact in five of nine outings for the Reds this season.

Pennant said on his impressive showing last weekend: “I was watching the game and was like, finally! It was a player going to the byline and putting a cross in the box.

“It’s not difficult, you don’t have to beat a man. If you’re quick, you have to drop your shoulder, quick yard and cross into the box.

“Gakpo didn’t do that once. I know that’s on your weaker foot, but you’re a professional footballer, you can do it.”

Smith added: “That’s Gakpo’s main trait…he doesn’t go to the byline.

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“He doesn’t seem to be able to do it, everytime he’s pulling back to cross it in and I hate the fact I’ve noticed it, ever since…”

Host Ellard then stated: “West Ham on Saturday, start him.”

In agreement, Pennant said: “You can understand why Slot is taking his time with Rio, but at the same time, if someone’s coming in and changing a game in that manner, then…he’s been around long enough now for him to say: ‘Okay, let me put a bit of trust in you’.

“100 per cent, I think we should start him, he’s more direct and that’s what Liverpool need right now.

“He’s not scared to get to that byline, so for me, Slot’s got to show a bit of trust in Rio, he’s earned that right now.”

Pennant continued: “Now, he’s used to it, he’s had a taste of it and I think he’s ready for a start – not 90 minutes, but you give him a solid 60 and bring on Gakpo or Salah when the other team’s tired.”