Liverpool: Szoboszlai, Mac Allister, and Doak raise excitement for new Premier League campaign in 3-1 preseason win over SV Darmstadt

New midfield duo is already making supporters forget about Henderson and Fabinho

Liverpool’s 3-1 win against SV Darmstadt in their final preseason friendly on Monday night should have eased fears over the transfer sales of Jordan Henderson and Fabinho. While the duo will be missed, especially Henderson’s leadership, Liverpool’s two summer midfield signings, Dominik Szoboszlai and Alexis Mac Allister, looked like the perfect replacements.  

Szoboszlai and Mac Allister both started in midfield, with the former playing on the right side of the midfield three as a No 10 and the latter lining up as a No 6. Cody Gakpo was used in the midfield as well, playing on the left side as an attacking midfielder, rather than in the Roberto Firmino role fans saw him play last season. 

Gakpo’s inclusion in midfield, something that Jurgen Klopp has been forced to do from time to time, showed the shallow depth available at the moment. Thiago, Stefan Bajcetic, and Tyler Morton are all still recovering from injuries.  

Klopp could have Thiago and Bajcetic on the bench for Sunday’s Premier League season opener against Chelsea. Morton is unlikely to be back for a little while longer after fracturing his foot on loan at Blackburn Rovers last season. He could still go out on loan after impressing at Ewood Park. 

The Reds’ third bid for Southampton’s Romeo Lavia was turned down on Monday. Liverpool offered £46 million for the teenager, which Southampton deemed too low.  

Szoboszlai played just over an hour, recording an assist from a corner, as Luis Diaz scored Liverpool’s third goal. The Hungarian was electric, running non-stop to close down opposing players and get on the ball.  

His energy is very similar to Henderson’s, making him a great replacement for the former Liverpool captain. But the biggest difference between the two players is Szoboszlai’s age. The former RB Leipzig player is just 22, which makes him 11 years younger than Henderson. The new Liverpool No 8 is also technically sound, capable of dribbling out of tight spaces or shooting from long range. 

Mac Allister would ideally play as a No 10 in midfield rather than a No 6. But the Argentine World Cup winner showed a tough tackling side to his game against Darmstadt. The German club, although a great final warm-up, is not on par with Liverpool’s opening-day opponent, Chelsea. While Darmstadt will aim to retain their Bundesliga status, Chelsea’s goal is to lift silverware by the season’s end.   

Mac Allister played 75 minutes before academy product James McConnell went into the No 6 position. Curtis Jones and Harvey Elliott also joined the midfield in the second half. With Gakpo starting the game and playing as a No 10, Liverpool had a shape that could quickly put four attacking players into the final third. Szboszlai’s pace allowed him to also join the attack, making it a five-man avalanche on the opposition’s 18-yard box. 

Trent Alexander-Arnold drifted into midfield to create the 3-box-3 Liverpool have become known to use. Darmstadt’s lone goal of the game came from a counter-attack, as Alexander-Arnold was caught in midfield and a quick through ball beat Liverpool’s offside trap. The Reds’ defence showed its vulnerabilities once more. 

There was a 10-minute spell in the opening half in which Darmstadt beat Liverpool’s offside trap multiple times. Fortunately, only one goal was scored by the visitors. Liverpool may not be as fortunate against Chelsea at Stamford Bridge on Sunday.   

The lack of depth shouldn’t affect Liverpool against Chelsea, but it could become a problem two, three, or four weeks into the new campaign. Liverpool will likely play a mixed squad in the Europa League, featuring young players and veterans. This will give Klopp the chance to delve into the current depth, lacking or not. 

One of the Liverpool youngsters that could see significant playing time in the Europa League is 17-year-old Ben Doak. The hype continues to build around the former Celtic academy player and Monday’s 30-minute performance against Darmstadt was another reason to be excited about him.   

Doak is fearless and constantly puts full-backs under pressure with pace. The Scotsman replaced Mohamed Salah on the right wing and nearly set up Darwin Nunez for a goal before having a pop at goal himself.  

Salah is the undisputed King of Anfield. He will get plenty of goals once more this season and start most matches. But Doak already looks like the ideal youngster to replace the Egyptian, once he leaves Anfield. Doak may have earned the very important role of Salah’s backup for the upcoming campaign. It could be a chance for the young man to be the understudy of a Liverpool legend. A priceless experience. 

There is no doubt Liverpool still need the specialist No 6 they are searching for. Lavia’s price tag is high, but there are alternatives, such as Leeds United’s “tackling machine” Tyler Adams. The worry is that Liverpool won’t seal a deal for a No 6, forcing them to sign a player on loan, like they did last season at the end of the transfer window.   

Twelve months ago, Arthur Melo was signed on loan to provide quality depth to the midfield. He never played a Premier League game. The Reds need to sort out the No 6 position quickly to get the most out of a very exciting attacking team. Without a true No 6, Liverpool may score plenty of goals, but they will concede plenty of goals, too.