56-second clip shows Arne Slot who Liverpool's most vital player is, and it's not Van Dijk

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Liverpool won 2-0 against Aston Villa to end their four-game losing streak in the Premier League – and one star in particular helped them get three points over the line.Liverpool had won five games in a row to start their Premier League campaign, but a rancid run of four defeats in the division saw them fall as low as seventh.That changed on Saturday night, when a 2-0 win over Aston Villa courtesy of goals from Mohamed Salah and Ryan Gravenberch got them back to winning ways.However, it wasn’t without scares as Villa kept pushing – and one star was incredibly determined to end their poor streak in Dominik Szoboszlai, which will delight Arne Slot after a 56-second clip emerged.Photo by Carl Recine/Getty ImagesDominik Szoboszlai’s work-rate was there for all to see in Liverpool vs Aston VillaSzoboszlai has always been known for his teamwork, work-rate, relentless engine and versatility. The latter has been increasingly prominent this season thanks to Szoboszlai’s ability to fill-in at right-back.He’s undoubtedly been one of Liverpool’s most important players under Arne Slot, playing a key role last season in their Premier League title win from attacking midfield.Alongside Virgil van Dijk, Mohamed Salah and Alisson Becker, Szoboszlai has proven to be a leader and a consistent performer.But in the dying embers of the game against Villa, a clip of his work-rate has emerged to arguably see him become Slot’s key piece.This clip perfectly encapsulates Dominik Szoboszlai to a tee.89th minute of the game, 2-0 up & he is sprinting the length of the pitch to support the attack.

Liverpool lose possession & he is sprinting the length to get back & help.30 seconds later, he’s making the same… pic.twitter.com/4FmJrHUFau— CounterPressers (@CounterPressers) November 2, 2025 View Tweet With Liverpool winning possession in their own half, Salah received the ball on the half-turn, to which Szoboszlai gallops down the right-hand side to support his Egyptian teammate.Possession is lost, and with Villa springing a quick counter-attack through Jadon Sancho, Szoboszlai ran back to his own area from the edge of Villa’s box in just 12 seconds. Bear in mind, the game was approaching stoppage time, and the Hungarian had been playing for the entire game.With Villa earning a corner, Liverpool looked to counter once again, and he’s seen in the same mindset, sprinting down the right-hand side to support them in attack before almost grabbing an assist for Conor Bradley.It’s those sort of credentials which will stick firmly in Slot’s mind.Photo by Mark Leech/Offside/Offside via Getty ImagesSzoboszlai could become Liverpool’s new man to lean on after Van Dijk and SalahLiverpool have been on a poor run in recent weeks but it’s the talent and hard-work that they’ve shown over the past few years that will inevitably drag them back to the upper echelons of the Premier League.Szoboszlai is a player who is as technically talented as anyone for the Reds, and his work-rate is certainly up there, too.

A willingness to help out for the full 90 minutes makes him a manager’s dream.SeasonPremier League appearancesPremier League goals/assists2023-243362024-2536132025-26102Whilst the likes of Salah and Virgil van Dijk have been evidently vital for Liverpool over the past, they’re coming to the end of their careers, and Liverpool need another star to rely on.With all of Szoboszlai’s defining qualities, and his never-say-die attitude, there could be a new long-term King of Anfield for Slot to use for years to come.