Liverpool's reset starts with Szoboszlai - under Iraola, he could reach a level nobody has seen yet

Liverpool have serious work ahead of them in the season 2026/27.

The defence needs reorganisation following the departures of Ibrahima Konate and Andy Robertson. Going forward, the attack looks thinner without Mohamed Salah, who was irreplaceable in terms of output for well over a decade. 

The midfield, meanwhile, carries enormous responsibility to compensate for those losses and drive the team's style under a new manager. Every department requires attention, and Andoni Iraola walks into a rebuild that is more substantial than it might appear on the surface. 

One of the first stabilising moves was securing Alisson Becker's future at Anfield. According to Goal, earlier this year there were genuine questions surrounding the Brazilian goalkeeper's future at the club, with speculation linking Aston Villa's Emi Martinez as a potential replacement. That uncertainty has since been resolved, with Liverpool and Alisson agreeing on a contract extension.

Dominik Szoboszlai is considered another one of the pillars Liverpool are building around. With the squad transitioning and leadership roles up for grabs, the Hungarian midfielder is increasingly central to how Iraola will want this team to function.

Under the new manager, there is genuine optimism that Szoboszlai can hit levels that have not yet been seen from him consistently, and everything about his mentality and physical profile suggests that ceiling is higher than most realise.

A Season That Changed Perceptions

When Szoboszlai arrived at Anfield from RB Leipzig in the summer of 2023 for £60 million, the expectations were high but the timeline was uncertain. His first season under Jürgen Klopp had difficult patches, and it was only after that reality check that his development truly accelerated. He returned the following pre-season with something to prove, and the difference was visible almost immediately.

Last season, he finished as Liverpool's player of the year. He reached double figures for goals, contributed seven assists, and covered more ground than any other player in the squad. Those are not coincidental numbers; they reflect a midfielder who has internalised what it takes to sustain elite output over a full Premier League campaign. 

What Iraola Offers That Could Unlock the Next Level

Andoni Iraola's coaching identity is built on intensity, structure, and clear tactical roles. His teams press with purpose, move quickly in transition, and demand physical commitment from every player in every phase. For most players, that system requires significant adjustment. For Szoboszlai, it reads like a blueprint designed specifically for him.

His engine is extraordinary. Teammates joke that he could run from Liverpool to Hungary without getting tired. He is regularly among the first to arrive at training, scores highly in the club's physical metrics, and has already shown he can perform regardless of where he is positioned, delivering stunning free-kicks against Arsenal and Manchester City in games where he started at right-back.

A manager like Iraola, who demands versatility and energy from his midfielders, will know exactly how to use those qualities. The structure Iraola provides could give Szoboszlai the freedom to attack from deeper positions with greater confidence, knowing the shape behind him is secure.

The Contract Extension That Signals Intent

Earlier this year, there were genuine concerns about Szoboszlai's long-term future at Anfield. Reports from Spain suggested Real Madrid remained a dream destination for him. His agent addressed the speculation publicly, insisting the player was not looking to leave, and the situation was resolved when Szoboszlai signed a new five-year deal, a major statement from both club and player about the direction of travel.

That contract extension matters beyond the paperwork. It tells the dressing room that Liverpool's best player from last season is committed. It tells potential recruits that the squad has a reliable core. 

And it gives Iraola a foundation to build a system around from day one, rather than managing uncertainty about one of his most important assets. In a summer where Liverpool have already lost several key figures, retaining Szoboszlai on a long-term deal was arguably the most important piece of business the club could have completed.

The Reset Has a Clear Focal Point

Liverpool are entering a new chapter with significant gaps to fill and a new coaching staff still finding its feet at the club. But Szoboszlai himself has been refreshingly honest; if no further signings come, the group will need to produce something special together.

That mentality, coming from the player who will wear Liverpool's most iconic shirt number, sets the tone for everyone around him. Iraola now has a motivated, physically elite, tactically flexible midfielder who is hungry after a disappointing collective season and eager to show what he can do under a fresh set of ideas.