Dominik Szoboszlai says the disappointment of last season will serve as fuel for Liverpool to reclaim the Premier League title, insisting the squad will find a way to compete even if the club makes no further additions before the transfer window closes.
The Hungary captain, who was named Liverpool's player of the year last season despite the club's collective decline that ultimately cost Arne Slot his job, is entering a new era at Anfield under head coach Andoni Iraola. Liverpool won the league comfortably in Slot's first season in charge, but a stumble the following campaign has left the squad determined to prove a point in Iraola's first year at the helm.
Speaking after Liverpool's pre-season tour of the United States, Szoboszlai made clear the players have not forgotten how last season ended. "I can't wait [for the new season], honestly," he said. "I feel that we are ready to go again and take motivation from last season because it was not the best. We didn't end up where we wanted to. So now we're going to go for it again."
He added that the competitive spirit within the squad has been evident throughout preparations. "Everyone is motivated. I think I see in everybody's eyes that he wants to play and, if you want to play, you have to give your best. And from there the manager is going to decide who is going to play. But everybody is on zero right now."
Liverpool's summer business so far has been relatively modest, with central defender Jérémy Jacquet and forward Victor Muñoz arriving at Anfield. The club is still said to be interested in Paris Saint-Germain's Bradley Barcola, though question marks remain over squad depth following the departures of Mohamed Salah, Andy Robertson and Ibrahima Konaté, all of whom left as free agents.
Szoboszlai was diplomatic when asked about the club's recruitment plans, stressing it was not his place to dictate transfer strategy. "It's not my job to tell you who we have to sign or if we have to sign someone," he said. "If the guys above and the manager decide to sign someone, then we are very happy and are going to welcome him – or them – well. If they decide not to, then we have to do something special with this squad."
The 25-year-old also offered insight into life under Iraola, revealing the new manager has a distinctive approach to post-match feedback. According to Szoboszlai, Iraola avoids addressing the squad immediately after games, a habit the players noticed during pre-season friendlies against Sunderland, Wrexham and Leeds. "He doesn't speak after the game," Szoboszlai explained. "I think every manager is different in his own way. That's how he is. He always would rather speak the day after the game, which is fine for everyone. We have to get used to this."
With Robertson and Salah's departures leaving vice-captaincy roles open, speculation has grown over who might step into those positions. Szoboszlai, who wore the captain's armband during the US tour and recently committed his future to the club with a new five-year deal, said no conversations have taken place regarding leadership roles, though he would be honoured to be considered. "There hasn't been any conversation," he said. "We have Virgil [van Dijk] as the captain, we have Ali [Alisson], we have Joe Gomez [as vice-captains], so there was no conversation at all... If you get offered the vice-captain of Liverpool, you're going to take it. It would be a proud moment for me but I respect everybody. Whoever it's going to be, we're going to follow them."
Szoboszlai also downplayed a minor moment of confusion during the win over Wrexham in New York, when he handed the captain's armband to Kostas Tsimikas, sparking talk of tension with fellow midfielder Curtis Jones. "It was never a debate between us three," he insisted. "We just discussed something on the pitch. After, you guys make it very big. But next time we will manage to do it in the changing room. Nobody was angry. It's all cleared. We are cool, everybody."
Based on reporting from Guardian Football.