Jamie Carragher has highlighted the one Liverpool player who he is still not completely sold on.
Arne Slot’s side are in the midst of a stunning season, with the Reds six points clear at the top of the Premier League, while they remain in all three cup competitions.
Liverpool’s achievements have been all the more remarkable given they didn’t sign a single player in the summer, while no further additions arrived in January either.
However, Reds legend Carragher has revealed that despite one star being integral to Slot’s side so far this campaign, he felt that he could do more.
‘I was commentating on West Ham but I was just watching (Lucas) Paqueta thinking “oh my” every time he brought the ball down on his chest or his shoulder,’ the former defender said on The Overlap Fan Debate, brought to you by Sky Bet.
‘I was actually thinking would Liverpool sign him. I know (Manchester) City did try, but I look at his lack of athleticism in some ways and think would that stop a top team (from signing him) because of what he would do off the ball?
Jamie Carragher has highlighted the one Liverpool player who he is still not completely sold on
Arne Slot’s side are top of the Premier League but Carragher felt this player could still do more
The star in question was Liverpool’s Hungarian attacking midfielder Dominik Szoboszlai
‘And I think of Liverpool because I’m not (Dominik) Szoboszlai’s biggest fan but he’s got great athleticism.
‘He gets talked about as our No 10 and people say he’s great off the ball, but I’m thinking: “He’s the No 10, he’s scored three goals”.
‘And I know he does a great job for the team but Slot would probably still prefer Szoboszlai than Paqueta.’
Szoboszlai, 24, arrived at Anfield from RB Leipzig for £60million in the summer of 2023 and immediately established himself as a key cog in Jurgen Klopp’s side, making 45 appearances in all competitions last season.
He has played an integral role in Liverpool’s success this season too, often featuring in a more advanced role than fellow midfielders Alexis Mac Allister and Ryan Gravenberch.
Szoboszlai has been in impressive form in recent weeks, although he has still scored just four goals across 30 games this season.
And, while the Hungarian has been widely hailed for his athleticism, Slot has previously highlighted how Szoboszlai’s goal output is an attribute that could be improved upon.
The Liverpool legend raised the prospect of Lucas Paqueta coming in to replace Szoboszlai
‘I think something that we have to work on with him is that he’s also even more involved in scoring goals and creating chances for us,’ the Dutchman said in September.
‘Last season he scored three [in the league] if I remember correctly and for an attacking midfielder at Liverpool his numbers need to go up.
‘But I’m really happy with the way he’s done until now and I’m 100 per cent sure that if he plays in a team with so much quality around him, with the quality he has he will in the end score more goals for us as well.’
Liverpool return to action on Thursday when they take on Tottenham in the second leg of their Carabao Cup semi-final at Anfield, with Spurs currently 1-0 ahead from last month’s first leg.
