New Liverpool signings Dominik Szoboszlai and Alexis Mac Allister will go straight into Liverpool’s starting XI next season.
That’s the view of former Liverpool right-back Steve Nicol. Speaking on ESPN FC today, Nicol claimed that there’s no reason imminent arrival Szoboszlai in particular shouldn’t be starting immediately for Jurgen Klopp.
“Everybody when they talk about this guy [Szoboszlai] talks about how he has more in his locker. Well, from what I’ve seen, the guy ain’t bad right now,” raved the pundit. “I don’t see any reason why he doesn’t go into the Liverpool side straight away. If we’re talking about the majority of so-called experts, we all agree that he’s going to get better. This is a great signing.”
Asked whether that means the 22-year-old should be in Klopp’s best XI, Nicol was in no doubt.
“I don’t see why not,” he said. “I don’t see who’s going to be ahead of him or why they should be ahead of him. [Jordan] Henderson’s getting on a little bit, Harvey Elliott’s getting better, getting more experienced, he certainly doesn’t have the experience or the kind of football knowledge right now that Szoboszlai has.
“So yeah, absolutely. Mac Allister, Fabinho, a Fabinho who’s rested who we expect to be back to the old Fabinho, along with these two [Mac Allister and Szoboszlai].”
Klopp set to decide on midfield trio
Predicted Liverpool’s midfield next season is a little bit of fool’s errand. As well as the obvious new arrivals, there’s also the Trent Alexander-Arnold factor to consider.
In the early parts of the season especially, it wouldn’t be a surprise if Klopp keeps his new signings in reserve. The Reds boss has been well known to ease new players in and that could be the case again here.
But with Liverpool needing to hit the ground running, we think Jurgen will be a little more liberal with the likes of Szoboszlai and Mac Allister.
We’d be shocked if Klopp wasn’t planning to move ahead with both as part of his first XI. Both are good enough and – as Nicol mentions – are better than what we currently have.
So, assuming that’s the case, the third member of the midfield trio is the hardest one to predict of all.
Of course, there’s every chance Liverpool are still working on a new signing to fulfil that remit. But we think any more additions are more likely to be more squad type players – initially at least.
As a result, why shouldn’t Fabinho continue his role as the Reds’ specialist No.6. He wasn’t great last season but did look better when Alexander-Arnold stepped up next to him. If the Brazilian can get back to anything near his best, he instantly makes this three one of the very best in Europe
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