Dominik Szoboszlai takes swipe at Arne Slot philosophy with early Andoni Iraola opinion
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Dominik Szoboszlai has given his thoughts on Andoni Iraola's start to life as Liverpool head coach, with the midfielder comparing him favorably to former boss Arne SlotDominik Szoboszlai has given his opinion on Andoni Iraola's start as Liverpool head coach(Image: Getty Images)Dominik Szoboszlai has hailed Andoni Iraola’s start to life as Liverpool head coach, having claimed the Reds had been missing “intensity” last season under Arne Slot.Iraola was appointed as Slot’s successor earlier this summer after Liverpool took the surprise decision to dismiss the Dutchman after two years in charge, having seemingly been backing him throughout a difficult second season.Having won the Premier League title in his first campaign after taking over from Jurgen Klopp, Slot oversaw a significant drop-off the following year, with Liverpool just scraping into the top-five to earn Champions League qualification, although that wasn’t enough to save his job.Slot received criticism for his style of play during that second season in charge, with fans and pundits alike bemoaning the slow approach with which his team took on - and it seems his players weren’t all that happy with it either.Speaking at a press conference during the club’s pre-season tour of the US on Thursday, Szoboszlai was full of praise for his new boss, who has started with wins in friendlies over Sunderland and Wrexham.“It's very good, the intensity is what we need this year now,” Szoboszlai told reporters (as per the Liverpool Echo).Andoni Iraola was hired as Arne Slot's replacement this summer(Image: 2025 Liverpool FC)“What we have been missing is back, from the coach and players side as well. So now we have to put this together with the team we have.”Szoboszlai’s comments appear to echo Mohamed Salah’s criticism of Slot’s before his own departure from the club this summer.
The Egyptian called for the Reds to “go back to being the heavy metal attacking team that opponents fear” in a scathing social media post.Salah’s departure was touched upon by Szoboszlai, with the midfielder seen as one of the leading contenders to become Liverpool’s new vice-captain after Andy Robertson also left.“A couple of club legends have left the club but the club is still the same it has always been,” Szoboszlai said.Get Liverpool's new 2026/27 home kitThis article contains affiliate links, we will receive a commission on any sales we generate from it. Learn moreLiverpool FC have launched their new home kit for the 2026/27, inspired by iconic adidas strip worn during the club's 1989/90 title-winning campaign.“It's one of the biggest in the world.
Someone left, some came, we have to step up and be an example for the younger generation. I try to set an example on and off the pitch and lots of players think the same.”He added: “I think now a couple of guys left and we are not the oldest but we have been here a long time.