Szoboszlai and the warning that “no one can stop us”: Liverpool are searching for the intensity they lost

Portman Road, Friday night. Liverpool left with their first three points of the season, but the performance was not entirely convincing. Alexander Isak's early double made the game comfortable; the more notable detail came from Dominik Szoboszlai's post-match interview. The Hungarian warned rivals that a Liverpool which rediscovers its old intensity will be unstoppable. Liverpool had just endured a disappointing campaign, failing to defend the title under Arne Slot. New head coach Andoni Iraola favours direct, high-speed pressing – the identity Liverpool once had. Szoboszlai admitted the team lacked intensity last season. Tactically, his position matters. He wants to play as a box-to-box No. 8: receiving from defence, playing long passes, arriving in the box and shooting from distance. Because of Jeremie Frimpong's injury, he often played right-back last season. Iraola made clear this is not a long-term plan, freeing Szoboszlai as an attacking threat. Yet “no one can stop us” must be tested by data, not emotion. Ipswich were a weaker opponent. Atletico Madrid means a real test. Iraola's press brings fitness risks; when a No. 8 enters the box, space behind can be exposed. Explosive wins may hide defensive transition flaws. Ultimately Szoboszlai's words only matter if Liverpool show it on the pitch. Atletico will reveal where this team stand.