Liverpool have problem with 'genius' player despite Arne Slot's superb start

Dominik Szoboszlai's struggles at Liverpool may be developing into a cause for concern for manager Arne Slot.

The Reds have enjoyed a strong start to the season under their new boss, winning five of their opening six matches to go top of the Premier League ahead of rivals Manchester City and Arsenal.

However, there is still obvious room for improvement within the Liverpool ranks. The Reds have been wasteful in the final third on some occasions, and their defensive mishap against Wolves to gift Rayan Ait-Nouri a goal provided a glimpse of complacency that can be stamped out by their manager.

Slot will also feel that some of his players can improve, with Szoboszlai notably enduring a tough start to the campaign.

The Hungarian international has been handed a role by his manager that looked primed to make use of his wide range of passing and creativity, but he has been reluctant to truly make his presence felt when offered time and space moving forward.

Szoboszlai has often been spotted moving the ball on to fellow right-sided players Mohamed Salah and Trent Alexander-Arnold rather than trying to unlock opposition defences himself instead, in what could be a confidence issue for the playmaker.

The 23-year-old appears to be more than aware that his displays have not met the mark though. Szoboszlai looked visibly frustrated when Slot decided to replace him with Curtis Jones after 73 minutes against Wolves, shaking his head as he left the pitch.

It is unclear whether his anger was aimed at his own performance or his manager, though both Szoboszlai and Slot will likely be in full agreement that the midfielder is not playing to the best of his abilities at present and that improvement is required as soon as possible, especially as Jurgen Klopp labelled him a 'genius' last season.

Speaking after the playmaker's assist in Liverpool's win over Brighton, the former Liverpool boss said: "It is the creativity and the quality, seeing that. He sees Macca, his first touch is incredible and then he sees Mo. How wasteful we were at all the other moments it was good we had this genius football moment to finish the game off."

Fortunately for Szoboszlai, and frustratingly for Slot, there is currently no one else who has the skill set for the attacking-minded No.10 role on Merseyside at present and therefore he will likely be afforded time to come through this poor spell.

Harvey Elliott was previously regarded as the alternative to Szoboszlai in the role, but the England Under-21 star has suffered a fractured foot which will rule him out for a further number of weeks.

That means Slot will hope Szoboszlai, by playing twice a week in the next few weeks, can play himself into form.