Sports

Dominik Szoboszlai welcomes Steven Gerrard comparisons but says he wants to go his ‘own way’

Liverpool midfielder Dominik Szoboszlai is happy to be compared to Steven Gerrard but is determined to succeed at Anfield playing his own way.

In just a handful of matches since arriving in a £60million move from RB Leipzig in the summer the 23-year-old Hungary captain has become an instant fan favourite.

His boundless energy and unwavering work-rate immediately resonated with supporters who had become concerned about an ageing and lacklustre midfield in last season’s disappointing campaign.

But throw in his talent on the ball, his vision for a pass and an eye for goal and it is understandable to see why there were murmurings about ‘the new Gerrard’.

If his debut goal against Aston Villa in September – a left-footed drive from the edge of the area – was good, the blistering strike against Leicester in the Carabao Cup had all the echoes of the man whose number eight shirt he now wears.

Liverpool midfielder Dominik Szoboszlai has already been compared to Steven Gerrard

He gave insight into his mindset, saying: ‘If I have to score, I am going to score. If I have to assist, I am going to assist. If I have to run all around the pitch, I will run all around the pitch’

Error: Unset URL field

‘I want to do my own way but of course it feels good if they say I am the new Steven Gerrard,’ Szoboszlai told the PA news agency at a session of the Nike Game On initiative which, in conjunction with the LFC Foundation, has provided more than 8,000 local school𝘤𝘩𝘪𝘭𝘥ren with access to a range of sports over the last three years.

‘I have a tattoo from Steven Gerrard what he said a long time ago,’ he added. The quote attributed to Gerrard, which Szoboszlai has inked in Hungarian, is ‘Talent is a blessing from God, but without incredible will and humility, it is worthless’.

‘It’s nice to have the number eight shirt because really great players played in it. I just want to continue.

‘But I just want to be myself and if I can get that big in this club like he was I’ll be really happy.’

When Liverpool triggered the Hungarian’s release clause to sign him from Leipzig in July there were eyebrows raised about the fee.

However, manager Jurgen Klopp and his scouting team had no doubts bringing in one of the most talented midfielders in the Bundesliga and youthful captain of his country bore little risk.

It may not be entirely accurate to say Szoboszlai has single-handedly revitalised Liverpool’s midfield in just a couple of months but with fellow new arrival, Argentinian World Cup winner Alexis MacAllister, hamstrung by having to play an unfamiliar defensive midfield role, there is little doubt who has made the biggest impact.

Growing up, the Hungarian idolised Cristiano Ronaldo – not for his talent but his mentality, and it is easy to see that reflected in his performances so far.

Szoboszlai has a Gerrard tattoo and is making the No 8 shirt his own at both ends of the pitch

Asked where he gets his energy and drive from, Szoboszlai added: ‘Because I want to win.

‘Even if we are in front I don’t want to concede any goals, that’s why I run. If we are behind I want to score goals, that’s why I run. It is always the reason why you have to run.’

Liverpool have been crying out for a goalscoring midfielder but the 23-year-old sees a bigger picture.

‘If I have to score I am going to score. If I have to assist I am going to assist. If I have to run all around the pitch I will run all around the pitch,’ he said ahead of Sunday’s visit of Nottingham Forest.

‘I am here to help the team, I am not here to reach something alone. I want to win trophies, I want to win everything and make us proud and make the fans proud and put Liverpool back again where they deserve to be.

‘I can improve in everything. I am not a finished player. Of course I can do everything almost but always you can be better and always you have to think like this.

‘If you think this is your best prime, it is not. I can do even better.

‘If I would come with any worries then it would not go like this. I came here like ‘I can do it’ – and I am doing it.

‘But I don’t say ‘I did it’ because I didn’t. It’s really early to say that. I’m doing it and hopefully I can do it even more and for longer.’

Liverpool’s £60million plunge on the Hungary international is paying off so far given his form

Of all his many qualities it is Szoboszlai’s self-belief and confidence which stands out.

Asked about his ambitions for this season, he said: ‘I want to win everything. It is never easy but no-one will ask you how it feels to be second.

‘This is how I think. Hopefully everyone thinks like this.

‘We have to work hard. When the players (the likes of the experienced Jordan Henderson and Fabinho) left no-one was expecting how we started, how quickly we got to know each other and how well it goes.

‘We are there for each other. We are a team.’

Related Posts

“Feels like same crap all over again”: $20,125,875 Pittsburgh Penguins D-man makes his feelings known about Pens blowing 2-0 lead in OT loss to Bolts

Penguins 3-2 OT loss to Lightning – Source: Imagn The Pittsburgh Penguins blew a 2-0 lead to the Tampa Bay Lightning to fall 3-2 in overtime on Tuesday. The loss…

Biz makes bold comparison regarding Wayne Gretzky, Connor McDavid’s hockey greatness after Oiler’s star’s 1000-point milestone

Connor McDavid becomes fourth-fastest NHL player to reach 1,000 points (Source: Imagn) On November 14, 2024, Connor McDavid reached a major milestone by becoming the fourth-fastest NHL player…

“One of the guys I truly, truly hate”: Pat Maroon reveals his extreme dislike toward $50,000,000 Stanley Cup champ

Pat Maroon reveals his extreme dislike toward $50,000,000 Stanley Cup champ (Image Credit: Imagn) Pat Maroon has a history with former Stanley Cup champion Brandon Montour, a $50…

Lionel Messi responde a Paolo Guerrero tras acusaciones de favoritismo arbitral hacia Argentina

Lionel Messi no dejó pasar las declaraciones de Paolo Guerrero, quien tras el partido entre Perú y Argentina criticó al arbitraje, señalando que cualquier contacto con los jugadores…

Lando Norris Drops a Bombshell Before Las Vegas GP: “There Won’t Be a Fourth Time!”

Lando Norris has set the F1 world buzzing with a bold declaration ahead of the Las Vegas Grand Prix. The McLaren star, currently trailing Max Verstappen by 62…

Tiger Woods’s Ex-Coach Destroys PGA Tour’s Claims With 3-Word Jab Days After ‘Slow-Play’ Poke

On November 18, the PGA Tour Player Advisory Council stamped its approval on a series of unpopular changes. The modifications, to be applied in 2026, will make the…

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *