Arne Slot must work hard this summer to ensure Liverpool haven't just signed another Naby Keita

Liverpool supporters have seen it all before. A big-money, high-profile midfield summer arrival from Bundesliga side RB Leipzig who hit the ground running before regular injury issues thwarted the progress of his debut campaign, with the player ultimately unable to consistently recapture the momentum of that opening period.

Such was the case for Naby Keita, who at the end of last season departed Anfield after a five-year spell in which he failed to live up to his early promise despite claiming five major honours during his time at the club.

It should act as a warning to Dominik Szoboszlai, who replaced Keita as the number eight in the Liverpool squad when following in the footsteps of the Guinean by moving from Leipzig to Liverpool for £60million last summer. Only three players have cost more for the Reds.

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There are other similarities, with Szoboszlai 22 when he arrived while Keita was 23, and both already being an integral part of their respective national teams before they signed up.

But, in fairness, that is where the comparisons end. They may be midfielders, but Szoboszlai and Keita possess different profiles and skillsets and, most certainly, have contrasting physical attributes and durability.

Despite twice having spells on the sidelines due to a hamstring problem he later aggravated by rushing a return, Szoboszlai has already made more appearances this season - 42 - and played more minutes than Keita did in any of his campaigns at Liverpool. And with seven goals and four assists, the Hungarian has surpassed Keita's best respective seasonal tallies with the Reds.

It must be said that some of those were in the Europa League, a competition in which Keita was never compelled to play for Liverpool. But. overall, the contribution from Szoboszlai has been greater in an attacking sense and, of course, in being available.

Szoboszlai, though, will know he has to kick on following the arrival of the incoming manager Arne Slot, with pre-season an important time for every player to impress the new boss, although as with many team-mates it will be shortened by summer international commitments as he skippers Hungary at Euro 2024 in Germany.

The hamstring issues in the New Year - missing four games when limping off against Newcastle United on January 1, and then again suffering the problem two appearances into his comeback, leading to another seven matches out - only partly explains the drop in form from Szoboszlai after such an impressive opening few months.

He had until the initial injury started 19 of 20 Premier League games and played every minute of the opening 11 until being replaced in the second half of the 1-1 draw at Luton Town in early November. That prompted a difficult period, despite a late goal in the win at Sheffield United a month later.

Frustratingly, in the two games Szoboszlai played between injuries, he scored against Chelsea and had an assist in the FA Cup win over Norwich City. Since his eventual return, however, the Hungary international's only goal contributions have been two strikes and an assist against Sparta Prague in the Europa League round of 16. And in 14 appearances, he's only lasted the full 90 minutes twice.

It hasn't helped that Liverpool have collectively lost their way in the last month, with Szoboszlai one of many players having returned from an extended spell out. And this, don't forget, is his first experience of playing in the intensity of the Premier League, let alone a Jurgen Klopp midfield.

Szoboszlai, as Klopp hinted at back in September, has had to change his game. "We have things to still find out and the signs are really positive,” said the Reds boss. “We were looking for an eight and names came up, watching the videos it was pretty impressive, super impressive.‌ But Leipzig play a 4-2-2-2 very offensive line-up, so we start learning (about him). I don't think he saw himself involved so much build-up, deeper positions but he is good on the ball and that is why we try it.”

Come late March, Klopp was praising Szoboszlai as a "chaos creator" for a part in the winning goal against Brighton, a hint to a further tweak in his midfield approach. But matters have subsequently gone steadily downhill, with the player benched for four of the last six games as Alexis Mac Allister, Harvey Elliott and Ryan Gravenberch have all featured in his preferred role on the right of the engine room.

The stats point to his potential. Compared to other Premier League midfielders this season, Szoboszlai ranks high for pressing in terms of recoveries and winning possession in the final third, while he creates more chances than most as well as finding himself in the opposition area more regularly. However, in terms of combativeness, he has won only 42.2% of his duels and only 19 tackles all season, indicating defensive work needs improving.

There remains scope for Szoboszlai to finish the season on an upturn, but a rest and refresh will benefit the Hungarian in the summer. "If you think my best shape was the start of the season, it wasn’t," he said in March. "I can be even better."

And with a first full season in England under his belt, Liverpool will hope Szoboszlai can build on the promise of those opening months.