Jamie Carragher Warns Andoni Iraola May Need to Make a Difficult Decision Over Dominik Szoboszlai

Jamie Carragher believes Liverpool manager Andoni Iraola could soon face an uncomfortable conversation with vice-captain Dominik Szoboszlai, with the former defender suggesting the midfielder may need to make a permanent switch to right-back.

Liverpool’s squad has come under increased scrutiny following an uncertain start to the campaign, and Szoboszlai’s position has become one of the latest talking points. Carragher feels the Hungarian international could actually provide a solution to one of the club’s biggest weaknesses, despite having established himself as an important figure in midfield.

Szoboszlai, who is 25, signed a lucrative new contract with Liverpool during the summer reportedly worth around £350,000 per week. The new deal followed an impressive individual campaign in which he was voted the club’s Player of the Season. Although Liverpool struggled to produce consistently strong results under Arne Slot last season, Szoboszlai was regarded as one of the standout performers.

The midfielder has generally operated in central midfield since arriving at Anfield, but he has occasionally been asked to fill in at right-back. That happened at various points last season and was repeated during Liverpool’s 2-2 draw with Nottingham Forest on Saturday, when Szoboszlai moved into the defensive position during the second half.

Carragher now believes Iraola could consider making that change permanent.

The situation at right-back has become increasingly complicated since Trent Alexander-Arnold left Liverpool for Real Madrid last summer. Conor Bradley has struggled with fitness, while Jeremie Frimpong has yet to fully convince in the position. As a result, Liverpool remain without an obvious long-term solution at right-back.

For Carragher, the failure to strengthen that area during the transfer window could prove to be a major error.

Speaking on the Stick to Football podcast, the former Liverpool defender argued that Szoboszlai’s qualities could make him particularly effective from the full-back position.

“The big thing he has got, and it happened last season and at the weekend, is that Szoboszlai went back to right-back,” Carragher explained.

He went on to question whether midfield is actually the Hungarian’s ideal position. According to Carragher, Szoboszlai has many of the qualities associated with a traditional box-to-box midfielder, including stamina, movement and an ability to cover large areas of the pitch, but Liverpool’s tactical setup does not necessarily make the most of those strengths.

Carragher compared him to former Liverpool captain Jordan Henderson, describing Szoboszlai as a high-energy player who can contribute goals. However, he does not view the Hungarian as a natural No. 10 or as the type of central midfielder who can completely control a game.

Instead, Carragher believes the right-back position could allow Szoboszlai to influence matches more effectively.

From there, the midfielder would potentially have plenty of possession and the freedom to move forward. Carragher even suggested that Szoboszlai could perform a role similar to the one Trent Alexander-Arnold previously occupied, using his passing range, physical ability and attacking instincts to contribute from deeper areas.

There is, however, one obvious obstacle: Szoboszlai may not be interested in making the switch.

After all, he has only just signed a major new contract and has been appointed Liverpool’s vice-captain. Having established himself as a midfielder and been rewarded financially for his performances in that position, he may understandably expect to remain in the centre of the pitch.

Carragher believes that is precisely why Iraola could have a difficult conversation ahead.

“He’s not going to want to play there because he’s just signed a new contract for £350,000 a week,” Carragher said. “He’s the vice-captain, and I think that’s a conversation Iraola is going to have to have going forward.”

The former defender also believes Liverpool’s midfield is currently unbalanced, with Szoboszlai potentially contributing to that problem rather than solving it.

Liverpool made several significant additions to their squad during the summer, but their recruitment strategy left two areas relatively untouched: full-back and central midfield.

The club strengthened their attacking options by spending £123 million on Bradley Barcola from Paris Saint-Germain and bringing in Victor Munoz from Osasuna for approximately £34.5 million. Both players primarily operate on the left side of the attack.

Liverpool also added defensive reinforcements, signing Jeremy Jacquet permanently and bringing Ronald Araujo in on loan. Nevertheless, the club did not make a major addition at either full-back position or in central midfield.

That decision has left several pundits questioning Liverpool’s transfer strategy.

Gary Neville admitted that he was surprised by the club’s failure to recruit another full-back. He pointed to the defensive concerns surrounding the existing options and suggested Liverpool could eventually regret not addressing the issue during the summer.

Carragher was even more critical of the situation.

He questioned the defensive awareness of Liverpool’s full-backs and expressed particular concerns over their decision-making. He argued that some of their movements appeared rushed and lacked the tactical understanding required at the highest level.

Carragher also used a striking comparison when discussing left-back Milos Kerkez, likening him to Darwin Nunez because of his tendency to play at maximum speed without always showing enough composure.

Kerkez arrived for around £40 million and had a difficult first season, although Carragher accepted that the young defender deserved another opportunity. His arrival was also viewed as logical because Iraola had previously worked with him at Bournemouth and was therefore familiar with his abilities.

The right-back situation, however, is viewed as more problematic.

When Alexander-Arnold departed, Liverpool deliberately chose not to search for a direct replacement. Carragher initially agreed with that strategy because he believed Conor Bradley had shown enough potential to become an important player for the club.

Liverpool also signed Frimpong, who was seen as a versatile option capable of contributing both at right-back and further forward on the right wing rather than being a straightforward replacement for Alexander-Arnold.

However, Bradley’s injury created a problem. Although he remains a talented young player, Carragher believes Liverpool should not rely entirely on one developing player to fill such an important position.

The former defender argued that Liverpool are too big a club to simply wait for Bradley to return to full fitness, particularly when the team is competing at the highest level.

While he acknowledged that Bradley deserves support and an opportunity to recover, Carragher believes the club should have recruited an established right-back to provide greater security.

That decision could now force Iraola to find an alternative solution from within the existing squad, with Szoboszlai emerging as one possible answer.

The Hungarian’s performances have already demonstrated that he can adapt to the position when required. His physical strength, stamina, passing ability and willingness to attack could potentially make him an effective modern full-back.

However, moving Liverpool’s Player of the Season and vice-captain into defence would represent a significant tactical decision.

For now, Liverpool must focus on improving their results. The Reds are still searching for their first victory of the season and will travel to Portman Road on Friday to face newly promoted Ipswich Town.

With pressure beginning to build around Iraola’s tactical choices and Liverpool’s summer recruitment, the manager may soon have to decide whether to keep Szoboszlai in midfield or ask him to become the solution to the club’s increasingly obvious problem at right-back.