As captain Virgil van Dijk wrapped his arms around Alisson in the celebrations after the final whistle, Dominik Szoboszlai dropped to the turf and lay motionless on his chest.
It was the abiding image from Liverpool’s first Premier League triumph at the Etihad Stadium for nearly a decade — a win that put them a giant step closer to securing a 20th top-flight title.
The exhausted Hungary midfielder eventually rolled over onto his back and slowly climbed to his feet. He was soon greeted by the outstretched hand of Manchester City boss Pep Guardiola, who wanted to show his appreciation for what he had just witnessed.
Szoboszlai’s complete performance epitomised the tireless work ethic that ensured Liverpool took full advantage of Arsenal’s surprise defeat to West Ham United on Saturday by extending their lead at the summit to a commanding 11-point margin.
“Dom is so important for us,” fellow Liverpool midfielder Alexis Mac Allister told reporters post-match. “I think you could see physically that he is really good. He can score, he can assist and he is doing really well.
“We have really good midfielders who came to the club around the same time as me. We are complementing each other really well and we are so happy to play with each other.”
Arne Slot’s side has showcased the ability to win in different ways during this remarkable 23-game unbeaten league run. They have swept opponents aside with their fluency and firepower and have ground out scrappy victories when not at their best.
Guardiola shaking Szoboszlai’s hand (Getty Images)
But before Sunday, they hadn’t relinquished possession and territory so emphatically and relied so heavily on their organisation, endurance and resilience off the ball to get the job done. Having established a position of control courtesy of first-half goals from Mohamed Salah and Szoboszlai, Liverpool sat back and defended in numbers to protect their lead.
Despite having 64 per cent possession, City were kept firmly at arm’s length. Alisson only had one serious save to make as he was well protected by the solid red wall assembled before him. The hosts’ expected goals (xG) total remained just 0.65 as Liverpool, who retained their shape and composure throughout, completed their first league double over City since 2015-16.
Szoboszlai was massively influential as he embraced a change of role. With Diogo Jota deemed unfit to start, Cody Gakpo having only returned to full training on Saturday and Darwin Nunez overlooked, Slot opted to employ Szoboszlai and Curtis Jones as No 10s, with Salah and Luis Diaz operating out wide.
It worked a treat without a recognised central attacker. Szoboszlai was integral to the clever corner routine that broke the deadlock. First-team individual development coach Aaron Briggs had initially trialled it during Saturday’s training session at Kirkby when academy youngsters who had been drafted in to defend set pieces were left bamboozled.
Szoboszlai darted towards the near post to receive Mac Allister’s low delivery and swept the ball towards Salah close to the penalty spot. The Egyptian’s first-time shot flew in via a deflection off Nathan Ake. It was Salah’s 30th goal of the season in all competitions and moved him level with Gordon Hodgson (241) in joint third place on the club’s all-time scorers list.
Liverpool’s second goal was also crafted in style. Trent Alexander-Arnold’s lofted pass sent Salah scampering away down the right. Salah teed up Szoboszlai, who took a touch to steady himself and drilled low past Ederson.
After the break, Szoboszlai continued to rattle City with his athleticism and dynamism. When Liverpool countered at pace, he kept finding space to exploit with his intelligent movement.
The £60million ($76m) signing from RB Leipzig thought he had put one on a plate for Jones, but a VAR check proved that he had strayed marginally offside in the build-up. He then burst through onto Salah’s pass but was thwarted by Abdukodir Khusanov’s sliding challenge.
What was arguably most eye-catching about Szoboszlai’s display was the relentless manner in which he repeatedly tracked back and helped break up City’s attacks. Slot had warned his players they would need to “suffer” out of possession against City and the 24-year-old duly obliged. He has the stamina of a marathon runner.
“Dom has grown into such a key player for us,” left-back Andy Robertson told LFCTV. “His quality is one thing, but his energy is second to none. He’s played in different positions and he takes it on. He knows what he needs to do for the team. His energy was there to be seen.
“Defensively, we did so well as a team. The wingers put in such a shift, helping me and Trent out at times when we needed them. Curtis and Dom at the top end of the pitch pressed so well.
“We limited a good team to very few clear-cut chances. The clean sheet was really important. The travelling fans are happy with what they’ve seen.”
They certainly were. There was a booming rendition of “We’re going to win the league” from the away end during stoppage time at the Etihad. Szoboszlai may have been running on empty, having completed 90 minutes for the fourth time in 12 days, but he neatly side-stepped a question about the significance of that moment.
“I didn’t hear it, I was so tired,” he told Sky Sports. “We have to keep going. It will be tough at home to Newcastle on Wednesday. We have 11 games to go and we have to keep calm.”
Salah and Szoboszlai celebrate (Alex Pantling/Getty Images)
His playful exchange with Salah post-match underlined the unity and camaraderie within a close-knit squad. “Finally, Mo could find me! It doesn’t happen all the time,” Szoboszlai smiled when asked about his sixth goal of the season. “He’s still a kid,” was Salah’s swift riposte.
Last season, Szoboszlai faded badly after a flying start to his Liverpool career. This time around, he’s getting better and better and looks destined to be rewarded with a Premier League winner’s medal.
Quality is abundant in this team — from the awe-inspiring attacking brilliance of Salah to the dominant defensive axis provided by Van Dijk and Ibrahima Konate. But it was how they really graft and fight for each other that came to the fore at the Etihad.
It’s a testament to the environment Slot has fostered and the clarity of his coaching and communication, with everyone knowing exactly what’s expected of them. They are a slick, well-drilled unit.
With seven of their remaining 11 league matches at Anfield, Liverpool’s lead looks insurmountable, especially given Arsenal’s glaring flaws. Slot’s side have emerged from an energy-sapping schedule in an incredible position. Victory over City made a mockery of the over-reaction in some parts to draws away to Everton and Aston Villa. They haven’t had a cushion at the top this big since they last won the title in 2019-20.
The image of a shattered but jubilant Szoboszlai lying prostrate on the Etihad pitch will linger — a man who had given everything he had for the cause. It was the first time all afternoon he had taken a breather. Even if Liverpool don’t comprehensively outclass you, there’s every chance they will outwork you.
(Top photo: Sky Sports)
