Dominik Szoboszlai is a front-runner for the Buy of the Year award. Not only in Liverpool, but in the entire English Premier League. We’ve scored two goals so far – both from outside the penalty area – but there are several parts to his game that have already made him a fan favourite.
Liverpool have bought a player with a special touch on the ball, and someone who can give the team long-awaited creativity from midfield. Most people with access to YouTube or German football on Viaplay knew that before he arrived. It was a surprise that he was the one to replace James Milner in the dreaded ‘fitness test’ on the first day of pre-season. Szoboszlai won his group, and Mohamed Salah won his group. Two very well trained players.
We’ve seen that so far this season. Szoboszlai played it all in the Premier League, taking part in the Europa League and League Cup. He seems to have tremendous working capacity, in addition to all the ingenuity.
Well loved in the wardrobe
Paul Joyce writes for The Times That early in pre-season, the Hungarian should have consulted his teammates about which Liverpool matches would be the toughest of the season. Manchester City were clearly mentioned, and Manchester United were also mentioned because of the history – to which the 22-year-old calmly responded that he expected Liverpool to win them all.
He is said to have been well received by many established stars, who saw in him a player they could immediately rely on to push the club forward towards their goals.
It’s being compared to when Alisson Becker came into pre-season in 2018 after his move from Roma, and one player reportedly said “Get him in my goal!” The Szoboszlai effect is said to have received a similar response. The attitude and energy in training has been noticed, and the dynamism around him has lifted.
Close to Trent and next to Haaland
Another summer signing, Alexis McAllister, is said to have immediately struck a chord with the South American players. For Szoboszlai, it didn’t happen so quickly, but eventually he and Trent Alexander-Arnold found the right approach. We can also see it clearly on social media, and in the ‘Inside Anfield’ episodes where we get a sneak peek at what’s happening in the dressing room.
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