“Bench him for a few matches before it is too late. Liverpool was only lucky against Chelsea because of Curtis Jones covering for the flop player. So you have to bench him to stay at the top ” – This is according to Gary Neville as he advises Arne Slot on an under performing Liverpool player. “0 Duels Won: Slot Must Immediately Bench 4/10 Liverpool Player After Chelsea Match”

The Premier League watched intently, anticipating that this match might expose cracks in Arne Slot’s Liverpool project, expecting a potential collapse against their first real challenge.

 

Chelsea delivered an impressive performance, giving their fans plenty of reasons to be excited about Enzo Maresca’s tactical approach. However, at this point, Slot has outmaneuvered the Italian, transforming Anfield into a formidable stronghold.

Curtis Jones displayed a new level of skill and composure, scoring a goal and earning both of Liverpool’s penalties, although the second was later overturned by VAR.

The 23-year-old’s impressive showing highlights Liverpool’s squad depth and suggests that Slot’s prospects of securing silverware this season are promising.

The performance was far from flawless, as Chelsea found success in midfield and managed to gain control during parts of the match at Anfield.

Dominik Szoboszlai delivered another inconsistent display, raising concerns about his future spot in the starting lineup.

Alexis Mac Allister was left out of the starting eleven, with Slot being cautious about overworking his South American players who had just returned from international duty in October.

Curtis Jones made the most of his opportunity to shine, delivering an impressive performance. In contrast, Dominik Szoboszlai struggled to silence his critics, falling short in the technical aspects during the match against Chelsea.

Despite playing the full 90 minutes, Szoboszlai failed to make a significant impact. He missed a good opportunity in the first half and remained largely anonymous, as reflected in his unimpressive stats for the game. The midfielder, who joined Liverpool from RB Leipzig in 2023, recorded 49 touches but failed to produce a single key pass.

Szoboszlai’s match statistics highlight his lackluster performance: no goals or assists, a single shot on target, 31 out of 38 accurate passes (82%), zero completed dribbles, no tackles, and he lost all seven duels he contested while being dribbled past three times.

While his movement occasionally helped Liverpool regain control from Chelsea, it wasn’t enough to significantly enhance the perception of his performance.

Fortunately, Jones’ outstanding performance secured Liverpool the three points. On a different day, the outcome might not have been as favorable, and Slot may now consider dropping Szoboszlai for the next match.

Why Szoboszlai Should Be Benched
There’s no denying Szoboszlai’s talent, but it’s evident that he’s not rising to the occasion when it matters most. He often seems tentative and overly cautious, with several moments this 2024/25 season where the Hungary captain should have confidently found the back of the net.

With Jones performing exceptionally well, it might be wise to bench Szoboszlai for a few games, encouraging him to channel his considerable talent and deliver the goals Liverpool needs from midfield. While Mohamed Salah and the forward line are outstanding, there will be moments when an extra dimension is necessary to secure victory.

In the match against Chelsea, the 23-year-old drew attention for the wrong reasons, as inews noted in their post-match ratings: “Failed to make the most of a great opportunity in the 37th minute and was otherwise largely anonymous.”

Szoboszlai’s relentless work rate can sometimes be a double-edged sword. His boundless stamina fuels Slot’s midfield engine, helping Liverpool outlast opponents, open up space, and keep the ball moving fluidly.

However, this effort earned him only a 4/10 match rating, and with Alexis Mac Allister starting on the bench after returning from international duty, there are concerns about Szoboszlai’s place in the starting lineup moving forward.

Primarily because Jones was outstanding, exuding confidence and dynamism. As Liverpool prepares to face Arsenal at the Emirates next weekend, Slot may consider Szoboszlai’s energy and athleticism.

However, Jones’ impressive movement and ability to neutralize Cole Palmer indicate that he should keep his spot in the lineup. Consequently, the former Leipzig player may need to be benched.