Szoboszlai: Understanding Each Other Without Speaking Is What Makes Liverpool's Midfield Work

Szoboszlai said he enjoys playing alongside Mac Allister, and the two have a chemistry that allows them to understand what the other wants to do without saying anything.

On Wednesday night Beijing time, the two midfielders each scored a goal to help Liverpool defeat Atletico Madrid 2-1 in the Champions League and make a winning start to this season's competition. The Hungarian was one of Liverpool's scorers, and so was the Argentine.

One has renewed, while the other remains uncertain

The situations of the two players are different. Szoboszlai signed a new five-year contract this summer, while Mac Allister revealed that Liverpool had told him the club was currently unable to offer him a new deal, leaving his future uncertain.

Speaking about his teammate, Szoboszlai said: "I like playing with Macca. We understand each other, we don't really need to speak — you look at someone and he knows what you want to do, and I know exactly what he wants to do as well. I think that also helps the team."

"Who plays in the next match is the manager's decision. I think everyone is ready to compete with each other, but we have to be a family."

Asked whether the pair could become a successful partnership for a long time, Szoboszlai replied: "We can, we can. At the end of the day, the ones on the pitch are the ones the manager puts there."

He gave his assessment of the new signing's debut

Szoboszlai also spoke about Barcola's performance. This was Barcola's first start for Liverpool since his transfer from Paris Saint-Germain, in a deal worth up to £123 million.

"He is a great player, and he showed that in Paris," Szoboszlai said. "We need everyone with this kind of quality. He got a little tired later on, which is normal, because he had to defend and give everything that we need."

One of three vice-captains

This season, Szoboszlai was appointed one of Liverpool's vice-captains. The other two are long-serving goalkeeper Alisson and defender Joe Gomez. He hopes to show more leadership.

He added: "It is a great feeling, and a proud moment for me. Although we have three vice-captains, there have not been many vice-captains in Liverpool's history, so I accept this and I accept the responsibility. I try to show it every time on the pitch, and also off the pitch, trying to become more of a leader after last season. This is my plan for the next few years."