Liverpool now finds itself at a pivotal moment in its transfer case, as the club may replace one of Jurgen Klopp’s most expensive signings this summer.
Recently, Jamie Carragher sparked debate by naming a surprise target for manager Arne Slot. In his commentary, Carragher explained his reservations about the 24-year-old Hungarian star, Dominik Szoboszlai.
The Reds paid a staggering €70m (£60m, $74.5m) to unlock Szoboszlai’s release clause from RB Leipzig in summer 2023. This fee stands as the third-largest in the club’s history, following deals for Virgil van Dijk and Darwin Nunez. Moreover, Szoboszlai has played a prominent role both under Klopp last season and under Slot this term.
While Liverpool tops the Premier League, advances in the Carabao Cup final keep fans hopeful, and the club also aspires to win the FA Cup and Champions League. However, questions persist over whether Szoboszlai has delivered value for money. Critics and pundits alike have begun to wonder if the Hungarian can truly make the impact expected of him.
Notably, the 24-year-old has registered five goals and five assists in 31 appearances so far this season. Yet, Carragher insists that Szoboszlai should be offering more in his No.10 role. Consequently, he suggested that Slot might consider an upgrade by targeting a controversial West Ham star who could better fit Liverpool’s attacking blueprint.
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Furthermore, Carragher drew attention to Lucas Paqueta during his analysis. He remarked, “I was watching Paqueta thinking ‘oh my’ when he brought the ball down on his chest or shoulder every time,” and added that Paqueta’s throwback style raises questions. Although Manchester City once showed interest in him, Carragher noted a lack of athleticism that could deter even top teams.
In addition, Carragher voiced his growing discontent with Szoboszlai’s output. He admitted, “I’m not Szoboszlai’s biggest fan,” and highlighted that despite his athleticism, the Hungarian has scored only three Premier League goals in his current role. Moreover, Carragher speculated that Slot might prefer Paqueta over Szoboszlai if given the chance to enhance the squad further.
Arne Slot has defended Szoboszlai by praising his contribution, especially in pressing and off-the-ball movements. After a 3-1 Champions League win over AC Milan, Slot admitted that the 24-year-old needs to improve his goal-scoring and chance-creation numbers. Nonetheless, Slot remains confident that playing alongside quality teammates will eventually boost Szoboszlai’s performance.
Meanwhile, fresh transfer chatter intensifies as reports in Spain indicate that Liverpool have received the green light to sign Frenkie De Jong from Barcelona, who currently has 16 months left on his contract. In addition, a trusted source has cleared up speculation regarding Alisson Becker’s future, noting potential moves that could affect Giorgi Mamardashvili and Caiomhin Kelleher. Finally, Carragher believes Liverpool must secure three major signings this summer to maintain their high standards, with a recent Man Utd transfer reportedly easing one of these critical deals.
