Liverpool academy gem admits he wants to become Arne Slot’s new Dominik Szoboszlai

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Dominik Szoboszlai has been Liverpool’s standout performer during what has been an overall poor season under Arne Slot.A Premier League Player of the Season nomination has been mooted for the Hungarian, who would be competing with the likes of Bruno Fernandes.Multiple pundits have also said that Szoboszlai has been Liverpool’s best player in 2025/26, while youngster Oliver O’Connor now has designs on replicating the former RB Leipzig man at Anfield. How confident do you feel in Freddie Woodman starting against Man United?

Slot confirmed on Friday that Alisson is yet to train 😬 Photo credit: Getty Images/Gareth Copley Oliver O’Connor wants to emulate Dominik Szoboszlai at LiverpoolThe 17-year-old is a regular feature in Liverpool’s U18 side and even earned a call-up to the U21 team this term.Like Szoboszlai, O’Connor is a natural midfielder but has been used out of position at right-back in 2025/26 due to a lack of cover.On taking up a new role this season, the teenager told Liverpool’s official website: “I feel like the more positions you have, the better, because you’ve got more chance of being named in a squad because of the fact you can play multiple positions,” O’Connor reasons.“My defending wasn’t really the best and I feel like I’ve learned a lot at right-back in defending. I feel like that’s really helped me.”O’Connor also explained how he looks up to Szoboszlai and wants to copy what he has done at Anfield.He said: “I just like the way he [Szoboszlai] plays and the way he is on the pitch as well.

I feel like he suits my game the most – it’s the way I play.“The way he impacts the team off the ball, I feel like that’s the thing I want to do as well, the way I want to play.”Oliver O’Connor statsHe was most recently in action in the 4-1 defeat to Manchester United, coming off the bench for 29 minutes.In total, the makeshift right-back has played 45 times for the Reds’ U18s, scoring a very respectable eight goals and assisting one.His goal output is not too surprising given, as the Englishman has explained: “I enjoy attacking. I’m more of an attacking player who can create chances, wants to score, wants to change the game.”While he may not be a full-back long-term, O’Connor does sound like he could be an excellent attack-minded defender for Slot’s team in the near future.Alternatively, he may well end up being called up to compete with the likes of Trey Nyoni at the heart of Liverpool’s XI.Join Our NewsletterReceive a digest of our best Liverpool content each week direct to your mailbox