“He was dreadful” – Journalist slams Liverpool star for performance in Fenerbahce defeat

“He was dreadful” – Journalist slams Liverpool star for performance in Fenerbahce defeat Dominik Szoboszlai’s Liverpool Future Questioned After Dreadful Fenerbahce Performance Liverpool’s 3-2 Champions League defeat to Fenerbahce has intensified questions surrounding Dominik Szoboszlai’s place in Andoni Iraola’s plans, with journalist David Lynch delivering a damning assessment of the Hungarian midfielder’s performance. Speaking to Dave Davis on Anfield Index’s Media Matters podcast, Lynch described Szoboszlai’s display in Istanbul as a missed opportunity to establish himself in Liverpool’s starting XI. “A terrible night,” Lynch said. “He was just very, very poor.” Dominik Szoboszlai Struggles in Liverpool’s Number Ten Role Szoboszlai was handed an opportunity in the number ten position, a role that appeared to offer him greater freedom to influence Liverpool’s attacking play. Lynch explained the thinking behind the selection. “He’s not great at progressing the ball from deeper positions. He’s kind of struggled in that aspect a little bit when he’s been used there.” The expectation was that a more advanced position would allow Szoboszlai to press, shoot and create opportunities. “And he was dreadful. There’s just no two ways of talking about it, really.” Davis highlighted the midfielder’s disappointing statistics against Fenerbahce, including zero open play chances created, 13 losses of possession and zero duels won. Lynch was equally concerned by his defensive contribution. “In terms of leading the press, no help whatsoever, no tackles made.” His assessment of Szoboszlai’s overall influence was particularly revealing. “Yeah, just couldn’t get into the game or influence it.” Liverpool Midfield Competition Leaves Szoboszlai Facing Difficult Questions Szoboszlai’s performance comes amid increasing competition for places in Iraola’s Liverpool midfield. Lynch pointed towards the performances of Trey Nyoni and Alexis Mac Allister, alongside Florian Wirtz establishing himself in the number ten position. “He just had to do better than that. And I just think that you cannot make a case to put him in the team at the moment.” Lynch also discussed the difficulties facing Ryan Gravenberch, drawing attention to the implications for Liverpool’s squad planning. “It’s fascinating around those two because, of course, they both signed new big contracts recently.” He added that both players now appear to lack an obvious position in Iraola’s system. Photo: IMAGO David Lynch Urges Patience Despite Fenerbahce Disappointment Despite his criticism, Lynch resisted making definitive judgements about Szoboszlai’s Liverpool future. “This is not me saying now, Szoboszlai’s useless, you’ve got to sell him, whatever. Seasons are long and things change all the time.” He acknowledged that Iraola could still find a way to utilise the midfielder’s attributes. “Iraola may find a formula to get something out of him. We hope that is the case as well, because he does have some really useful qualities.” Nevertheless, Lynch emphasised that improvement must come from the player. “From the players’ perspective, if they want to solve this issue, they just simply have to play better when they come in.” Crystal Palace Selection Poses Another Test for Szoboszlai Liverpool’s forthcoming Premier League fixture against Crystal Palace presents Iraola with another significant selection decision. Lynch believes Szoboszlai’s performance against Fenerbahce makes his inclusion difficult to justify. “You’re going into that Palace game thinking you can’t… you can’t realistically put him in the team and say that it’s a meritocracy really.” His preferred Liverpool starting XI included Mac Allister, Nyoni and Wirtz, leaving Szoboszlai among the substitutes. “The likes of Szoboszlai, Gakpo, they can contribute off the bench.” For Szoboszlai, the challenge is clear. His opportunity against Fenerbahce produced a performance that Lynch described as “really poor”, while Liverpool’s emerging midfield options continue to strengthen their claims for selection. As Lynch concluded: “Szoboszlai did not do himself any favours whatsoever.”