Arne Slot explains why Dominik Szoboszlai was left out of the Liverpool team

Liverpool travel to south London to take on a struggling Crystal Palace team on Saturday afternoon and ahead of the match, Arne Slot has explained why he has left Dominik Szoboszlai out of his starting XI.

The Dutch coach’s three midfielders so far this season have been very pleased, with the former Feyenoord boss opting for the Hungarian alongside Alexis Mac Allister and Ryan Gravenberch.

Szoboszlai has started all of Liverpool’s first six Premier League matches, but for Saturday’s match against Crystal Palace, Curtis Jones has taken the 23-year-old’s place.

Many Liverpool fans would have wondered why Slot chose to do this, as the former RB Leipzig star’s finished product has been called into question in recent times.

The Hungary international has produced just one goal and two assists in the eight games he has played this season, which follows on from the three goals and two assists in the 33 Premier League games he played in during the 2023/24 season.

This is a poor return for a player of Szoboszlai’s creative ability, but Slot has confirmed that the 23-year-old has not been left out.

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Liverpool boss Arne Slot confirms that Dominik Szoboszlai will be rested

Speaking to TNT Sports, Slot stated ahead of Liverpool’s match with Crystal Palace that Szoboszlai will be rested, while it also gives the Dutch coach the chance to give Jones a few minutes ahead of an international spell in which the 23-year-old will not play.

“Curtis does a good job every time he comes in. It is a good time for Curtis to start, also because he does not go to international matches, so it is good for him to also play a match,” said Slot.

“He’s done really well when he came in and Dom (Szoboszlai) puts so much effort into his pressing, you wonder if he can keep doing this every three days and I think it’s good for us to do more than just three midfielders. So let’s see how Curtis is doing today.”

“I can think of so many things we can improve”

Despite an incredibly successful start to the season, does Arne Slot know there is still a lot more to work on for Liverpool?

?@LynseyHipgrave1 pic.twitter.com/PuDs9ZABrk

— Football on TNT Sports (@footballontnt) October 5, 2024