Under Pressure
The mighty Redmen have returned from a very productive tour of the United States. There didn’t seem to be any pressure as our boys went undefeated against Real Betis, Arsenal, and Manchester United. The squad combined youth and experience, bolstered periodically by players returning from their respective holidays. For a preseason tour, you couldn’t ask for anything more. Arne Slot’s men look to have slowly picked up the Dutchman’s style. It showed especially when they faced heavy hitters like Arsenal and United.
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Who’s Under The Most Pressure?
With the upcoming season less than two weeks away, there will be expectations surrounding different aspects of the club. Despite being Slot’s first season as Liverpool’s coach, there is still that standard needed to be maintained as a club. Despite it being largely a season of integration, the heat will be on. But what about the players?
Obviously, the spine of our team, consisting of the likes of Virgil van Dijk, Mo Salah, Trent Alexander-Arnold, and Alisson, saw and won it all over the last few years. But which players, in particular, are under pressure to deliver a standout season? Here are three players that, in my opinion, have to deliver this year under Arne Slot.
Dominik Szoboszlai
While it’s only technically going to be the second full season that the Hungarian would be having with the Reds, the drop-off in form after an excellent start to Szobo’s life as a Red is mind-boggling. The drive, assuredness, and precision that our number eight showed during this span, flatly, abandoned him during the business end of last season. While some fans can blame themselves for expecting too much, especially for a player in his first season at a massive club, there were games where the Hungarian truly looked off the pace.
Szobo has a point to prove heading into the new season. He has little room for error. The likes of Harvey Elliott and Fabio Carvalho will challenge him for that “10” role in Arne Slot’s system. Alexis Mac Allister, Ryan Gravenberch, Curtis Jones, and Wataru Endo are his competition for one of the double-pivot midfield roles. One thing’s for certain though, there is a top-class player there just waiting to blossom. Szobo’s work rate is still second to none, despite his drop in form, so I’m fully backing him to overcome the pressure before him and cement his place as a starter next season.
Luis Diaz
Heading into the new season, the competition for the left-sided attacker position is truly heating up. Our number seven is trying to win first choice in his position. He’ll have a solid challenge from Cody Gakpo again. More surprisingly, returning-from-loan Fabio Carvalho is in the mix following the Portuguese youngster’s excellent showing playing the position in Liverpool’s tour of the United States. This is easily one of the most pressure-packed position battles entering 2024-25.
The Colombian hasn’t necessarily been the most convincing. Despite his relentless energy off the ball and trickery with it, his end product has cost Liverpool quite a few times. The game against Manchester City at Anfield comes to mind the most. That being said, he remains arguably our most dangerous player in the role. In my opinion, Lucho will be Arne Slot’s first choice in the position, at least to start next season.
Darwin Nunez
It wouldn’t be the start of a new Liverpool season without conversations about Darwin Nunez. Arguably he is the most polarizing player in the squad. Moments of brilliance, unfortunately, are sandwiched between moments of supreme frustration. Big chances go begging more often than not with the Uruguayan. There is of course the positive aspect of Nunez. His enthusiasm on and off the ball, raw physical gifts, and involvement in big chances frequently bolster his case, whatever gripes you might have with him.
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It’s not going to be easy for Nunez. I believe that if he is fit and firing, Diogo Jota will fill in that first-choice “9” role in Arne’s system. This thought process was reinforced by Jota’s decent showing, particularly off the ball, throughout Liverpool’s tour of the U.S. There’s certainly a bit of pressure for the Uruguayan to finally have that standout season. This year is set to be his third full season with the club. Can a change in manager and the system finally be the key to unlocking the Nunez we’ve been hoping for? It remains to be seen.
