Liverpool likely to be without Dominik Szoboszlai vs Leeds as new star given chance to emerge

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Amid what has been a fairly disastrous start to the campaign, Dominik Szoboszlai has been the one Liverpool player who can truly say he has given it everything.

The Hungarian has stepped up to become arguably the Reds’ most important player in 2025/26, featuring in a number of different roles across the pitch.

Wherever he has played, Szoboszlai has stood out. From lashing in a stunning winner against Arsenal to filling in so effectively at right-back: the No. 8 has lived up to his £60m billing.

However, while it is hard to imagine Liverpool without Szoboszlai this season, supporters may have to confront that reality on Saturday.

With a huge clash with Inter Milan to come on Tuesday, Arne Slot must surely be thinking about resting the man who has played every minute of the Premier League season so far.

Dominik Szoboszlai needs a rest against Leeds

Given Szoboszlai’s importance to this flailing Liverpool side, dropping him at Elland Road would be a hugely unpopular decision from Slot.

But with a punishing schedule ahead of him, the Liverpool head coach has to do what is right for the team. Szoboszlai cannot and should not play every game. Saturday’s visit to West Yorkshire feels like the one he has to miss.

READ MORE: Arne Slot drops hint over who will start at right-back against Leeds, Jamie Carragher will not be happy

What makes Slot’s decision a little easier is that he can bring in a like-for-like replacement based on how he’s been using Szoboszlai across the past two games.

With Mohamed Salah left on the bench, the Hungary captain has been nominally deployed on the right of Liverpool’s attack. Slot can simply swap Szoboszlai for Salah and keep the shape the same.

Granted, it is not as though the Reds have delivered any kind of tactical masterclass during the games against West Ham and Sunderland, but they have at least remained unbeaten. The same again would be nice.

In Szoboszlai’s absence a new player is going to have to step up and grab the spotlight. There have not been many matches in which the 25-year-old has not been Liverpool’s star man this term, but that is likely to have to change on Saturday.

Liverpool’s all-time Premier League record vs Leeds is excellent

• Played 30
• Won 18
• Drawn 7
• Lost 5
• Goals for: 69
• Goals against: 30

Will Liverpool continue their good run at Elland Road on Saturday?

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Who will start in midfield against Leeds?

While Salah would be the most likely replacement for Szoboszlai in the Liverpool team this Saturday, the midfield is where his absence would be most keenly felt.

Slot has some decisions to make ahead of the trip to Elland Road, with both Ryan Gravenberch and Alexis Mac Allister in poor form.

History tells us that Gravenberch is unlikely to get a rest despite the heavy schedule, meaning if there is a change, it will probably be with Mac Allister.

Curtis Jones played well from the bench against Sunderland, and deserves to start in place of the Argentine.

A midfield of Gravenberch and Jones with Wirtz in front does not look the sturdiest ahead of a tough battle against Leeds, but change is needed after what has been served up recently.

Szoboszlai should not be tarred with that brush, but in order to keep him fresh and firing, he needs to sit one out. Without their best player of recent times, a new star will have to emerge if Liverpool are to continue their unbeaten run.