Richard Hughes be warned! Do NOT sell irreplaceable secret weapon

Mohamed Salah is probably going to win the Premier League player of the season award. In fact, the Egyptian King might even pick up the Ballon d’Or at the end of the year.

With over 50 goal contributions this season - as Liverpool close in on the title - it would be well deserved. But the Reds have got a secret weapon this season which has allowed Salah to thrive.

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It’s often overlooked but Dominik Szoboszlai’s role in this Liverpool team out of possession is absolutely crucial and often gives Salah his platform to perform.

READ MORE: Liverpool have already signed next Mo Salah for NOTHING

The Hungarian is a pressing monster, attempting to win the ball back high up the pitch time and again, ensuring that Salah is well-rested on the right wing when the team eventually get possession.

This is proven by a “counterpressure” statistical graphic recently released by Hudl Statsbomb. Szoboszlai ranks among the very best players in the top five European leagues for both counterpressures and counterpressure regains.

Szoboszlai a counterpressing MONSTER

“A counterpressure is a pressure applied within 5 seconds of a turnover,” explains Statsbomb. “A counterpressure regain is when the player's team regained the ball within 5 seconds of the counterpress.”

The Hungary captain acknowledges the energy-sapping work he puts in for the team, telling Sky Sports: “[I play] a free role as an attacking part, but I have to cover a lot for my right side..

“I’m doing that also for Mo, for the team, for everyone. I’m just happy to help the team and that’s my role.

“Sometimes I feel tired, sometimes I feel like if I wouldn’t have done that I would have more energy for attacking, but as long as the team is happy, then I think every individual is happy.”

There have been calls for upgrades in the attacking midfield position but other contenders - such as Matheus Cunha and Xavi Simons - simply wouldn’t get through the work the same way Szoboszlai would.

Why Szoboszlai is irreplaceable

Jamie Carragher recently told the Stick to Football podcast that he believed Szoboszlai’s position is one that could do with a new option.

“I think Szoboszlai, Liverpool can improve that,” Carragher said. “I know he’s a completely different player, he’s got great energy, but when you think what Arsenal have got in Odegaard, what Man City had in De Bruyne in the past, Chelsea have got Cole Palmer.

“Someone who’s going to get you close to 15, 20 goals a season from that position.”

Liverpool must NOT sell Szoboszlai

But that line of thinking underplays Szoboszlai’s role in the team and changing Szoboszlai out would require a full rework over HOW Liverpool go about winning the ball back and scoring goals.

READ MORE: Levi Colwill Liverpool transfer back ON after sudden twist

Although his goal-scoring numbers are low for a No10 (five in the league) - and his assist record isn’t the best (four PL assists this season) - Liverpool are getting plenty of value out of Szoboszlai.

That’s why he could be described as irreplaceable as the Meseysiders go about clinching the top-flight title.