"He’s the standout for me, his performances have been incredible": Former Liverpool man Charlie Adam on which new Reds midfielder has impressed him most this season
Ex-Liverpool star Charlie Adam has been impressed at how quickly Jurgen Klopp's new-look midfield has been brought up to speed
After overhauling their entire midfield in the summer, many thought Jurgen Klopp’s Liverpool would struggle this season. However, 16 games into the Premier League campaign, they’re sitting top of the table.
The Reds’ impressive form has much to do with the speed at which new signings – including former Brighton playmaker Alexis Mac Allister and ex-RB Leipzig string-puller Dominik Szoboszai – have acclimatised to life at Anfield. For former Liverpool midfielder Charlie Adam, watching a new dynamic emerge has been special.
“Over the summer, Naby Keita left, Fabinho left, Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain left, Jordan Henderson and James Milner left – that’s five experienced internationals,” the Scot, who now serves as Burnley’s loan manager, tells FourFourTwo on behalf of horse.bet. “So to then replace them with the likes of Alexis Mac Allister, Dominik Szoboszlai, Ryan Gravenberch and Curtis Jones, without a massive drop off in quality, is the mark of great recruitment and management.
“What I like is that they’re different types of players – a good blend that gives Jurgen Klopp different tools. Mac Allister, who’s playing as a No.6 when everyone has previously seen him more as a No.8 – getting into pockets further forward – has been excellent. He’s shown he can control games from deep and has done well. But I really like Szoboszlai especially. He’s the standout for me – the best one. His performances have been incredible.”
Pressed on why he’s such a big fan of the 23-year-old, Adam is effusive. “He’s captain of Hungary and his leadership in this Liverpool team has been the standout in terms of driving the team. I’ve watched them a few times this season, when they’ve not started well on the odd occasion, and he’s been the one driving the team – creating chances, getting shots on goal. They’ve all played their part but I like Szoboszlai.”
More Liverpool stories
Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp blasts Amazon host's joke as 'ignorant' and 'disrespectful' after beating Sheffield United.
Get FourFourTwo Newsletter
The best features, fun and footballing quizzes, straight to your inbox every week.
With the January transfer window approaching, Liverpool have reportedly cooled their interest in one attacking target.
Ed is a staff writer at FourFourTwo, working across the magazine and website. A German speaker, he’s been working as a football reporter in Berlin since 2015, predominantly covering the Bundesliga and Germany's national team. Favourite FFT features include an exclusive interview with Jude Bellingham following the youngster’s move to Borussia Dortmund in 2020, a history of the Berlin Derby since the fall of the Wall and a celebration of Kevin Keegan’s playing career.