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Arne Slot explains where Dominik Szoboszlai is 'best in the world,' outlines 'massive improvement' of Hugo Ekitike and what makes Rio Ngumoha unique

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Dominik Szoboszlai's best-ever return of goal contributions for Liverpool this season has earned him plenty of praise but Arne Slot has explained to TNT Sports why it is his work out of possession that sets the Hungarian apart. The Reds head coach hailed the midfielder as the "best in the world in terms of pressing" after joining Owen Hargreaves on The Breakdown.

Slot says Szoboszlai 'maybe best in the world' at pressing

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Arne Slot has hailed Dominik Szoboszlai as "the best in the world" at pressing and explained why an exciting future lies ahead for young Liverpool talents Hugo Ekitike and Rio Ngumoha.

The Reds’ Premier League title defence quickly fell apart this season but some standout individual performances have provided reason for cheer.

Liverpool sit sixth in the standings, three points behind Manchester United in third, but are a distant 19 points off leaders Arsenal.

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A UEFA Champions League round of 16 tie with Galatasaray awaits next week, live on TNT Sports 1 and discovery+, and Slot talked up some of his star performers before the game while speaking to Owen Hargreaves for The Breakdown.

Hungary international Szoboszlai has been a key man for Slot this season, providing 10 goals and eight assists in 38 appearances across all competitions in his most productive season at Anfield yet.

But Slot explained why the 25-year-old’s work off the ball is what makes him truly world class.

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"Dominik has a lot of qualities. He is an all-round player, an all-round midfielder, a modern midfielder in my opinion," Slot said.

"Last season he was already very good - mainly off the ball, a bit on the ball - and I think this season he has improved his game on the ball.

"Off the ball he is top three, four or five in the world, and [he is] maybe the best in the world in terms of pressing."

Where Ekitike has 'room for improvement'

Slot also addressed the development of striker Ekitike, who joined Liverpool from Eintracht Frankfurt last summer to high expectations, aged 23.

The Frenchman’s return of 11 Premier League goals in 26 games, and another four in the cup competitions, has impressed Slot.

However, the head coach believes there is a lot more to come after seeing Ekitike make big strides physically since arriving at Merseyside.

"You don’t see many players who have such great technique and combine that with incredible pace and with scoring goals - starting immediately when you come to the Premier League," Slot said.

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"That is not something many players can do. Most players that come from different leagues, especially if they are as young as he is, need some time to adapt before they hit the ground running.

"He did not need that in terms of scoring goals. I think he did need that in terms of playing every three days.

"If I look at the player now, if I look at his body and how strong and powerful he is now compared to six, seven months ago, there has already been a massive improvement.

"He’s getting better equipped at playing every three days. But there is still room for improvement."

Ngumoha's unique quality

Ngumoha has been one of the breakout stars of the season for Liverpool.

The 17-year-old became the second-youngest debutant in club history when he featured in the FA Cup third round against Accrington Stanley in January 2025, aged 16 years and 135 days.

He went on to make a spectacular Premier League debut from the bench in a 3-2 win away to Newcastle in August, scoring a 100th-minute winner to complete a comeback from 2-0 down.

Still 16 at the time, Ngumoha became the fourth-youngest scorer in Premier League history and Liverpool’s youngest ever scorer.

That remains his only senior goal but the winger has gone on to rack up 17 senior appearances under Slot and the head coach insists he is paying close attention to aiding the teenager’s development.

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Hargreaves described him as "perfect to cause a bit of chaos" in games, and Slot agreed.

"In those moments I have used him a lot. When we were 1-0 down or needed a goal, then that quality is needed even more than maybe when you are 1-0 up," Slot said.

"He had his playing time mostly when we needed a goal and because he has improved, improved, improved, he gets more playing time now.

"He has a quality not many players have any more in the modern game - to outplay someone in a one v one. There are only a few. You have to be aware of the fact you have a talent like that and we have to make sure he keeps taking the next step.

"He is only 17, but we keep telling him – and his team-mates keep telling him - we do want you to keep the ball as much as you can but never play safe. Only in moments when you see that you are so under-loaded or there are so many from the other team, but this is something he has to learn.

"But he is 17. We have to keep emphasising that he needs to make those actions because if there is anything you need against a low block it is a player who can outplay a one v one situation and he is a player who is able to do that."

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