Arne Slot issues firm response after Steven Gerrard sent Dominik Szoboszlai demand

Liverpool manager Arne Slot has issued a passionate defense of his decision to play Dominik Soboszlai at right back at times this season, responding to Steven Gerrard's demand

Arne Slot has responded to Steven Gerrard's Dominik Soboszlai demand(Image: Getty)

Arne Slot has responded to Liverpool legend Steven Gerrard’s Dominik Soboszlai demand after the midfielder’s standout performance in the Champions League Round of 16 win against Galatasaray.

Soboszlai, 25, has played in midfield and at right back to plug the gap left by the injured Jeremie Frimpong and Connor Bradley. However, his best work, in an otherwise topsy-turvy campaign for the defending Premier League champions, has come in his natural position, in the middle of the park.

Again, the Hungarian showcased his goal-scoring prowess, this time in the Champions League, scoring the opener against Galatasaray to level the tie at 1-1 before Hugo Ekitike, Ryan Gravenberch, and Mohamed Salah piled the misery on the Turkish visitors to book a quarter-final clash with defending European champions, Paris Saint-Germain, next month.

After the game, Reds legend Gerrard highlighted Soboszlai as a potential long-term successor to Virgil van Dijk as Liverpool captain. Gerrard also demanded that Slot continue to play the No. 8 in his natural position.

"I like his mentality. He's evolved and he's grown a lot since he's become a Liverpool player," Gerrard shared with TNT Sports. "We [Liverpool] obviously signed a big talent.

"He's in the prime years of his career. I think Liverpool are going to see the best of him. I hope he stays around for a long time because I think there's a potential captain in there.

“He's always in and around the box. His ball striking is phenomenal. His timing and his technique and he hits it with so much venom,” Gerrard continued. “The balls are getting lighter and lighter. He must be an absolute nightmare for the goalkeeper.

"People are going away now talking about his performance because he's exciting and he's entertaining, but he's in his proper position. Keep him in his proper position. Let him flourish."

Steven Gerrard called on Arne Slot to keep Dominik Soboszlai in his natural position(Image: Getty)

However, Slot responded to Gerrard in his press conference ahead of Saturday’s visit to Brighton. The Premier League-winning Dutchman said his hands have been tied over Soboszlai’s position at times this season. Right-backs Frimpong and Bradley have both been sidelined by injuries, leaving Liverpool vulnerable.

“I don’t know how many times I have to say this but Dominik is a midfielder! When I play him in a different position, it’s not because I want to be a tactical genius,” Slot asserted.

“It is because I don’t have other options in that position and try to choose the best player available. If there is a full back on the bench, please ask yourself, is that full back fully fit? Is it a risk to play him?

“If I have a lot of full-backs available and in good shape, they will play there, and Dominik will be in midfield.

Liverpool's Dominik Szoboszlai celebrates after scoring the team's first goal during the UEFA Champions League Round of 16, second leg match between Liverpool and Galatasaray S.K. at Anfield.(Image: Getty)

"He is a very good midfielder for us. We have more than him, and that is why sometimes he plays right full back.

“He is able to play there and has done really well in that position but if I have the chance, he will play in midfield. If everyone is available, the team is stronger with him in midfield.

“But if we are missing five or six players, which has been the case at times this season, then I think the team is strongest with him at full back. Maybe I was wrong because we didn’t win every game with him there.”