was talking from a place of expertise and experience. “He is likely one of the greatest gamers on this planet proper now,” mentioned a person who may have been described in such phrases for a lot of the previous decade. Many a participant in that point has been requested to eulogise about Salah. Now it might have been an indication of a shift within the pecking order at Anfield that he was being invited to reward .
Salah did, and willingly. Whereas, when the Egyptian was dropped in November and the Hungarian took his spot on the precise wing, they’re mates, and when Szoboszlai has borrowed Salah’s yoga-inspired objective celebration in opposition to Barnsley, it was an affectionate tribute. Now, in one other function reversal, Szoboszlai has outscored Salah.
‘Top-of-the-line on this planet proper now’: Liverpool have a brand new talisman in Szoboszlai (REUTERS)
has had his disagreements with Salah this season however, with out going fairly so far as the winger, mentioned: “I feel there are a number of very good-to-elite soccer gamers on this planet however I undoubtedly agree with Mo that Dom is one among them.”
Commercial
A statistic might assist that argument. Szoboszlai’s newest all-action show however this season, solely Kylian Mbappe has extra objective contributions within the Champions League. He has eight, scoring 4, aiding 4. There are huge contributions amongst them. Szoboszlai has a late winner in opposition to Inter in San Siro. He provided Alexis Mac Allister for the one objective in opposition to Actual Madrid. He took the nook for ’s injury-time decider in opposition to Atletico Madrid. He put Liverpool forward in Marseille.
No marvel, then, that Salah mentioned: “This season we depend on him a lot.” There had been, nonetheless, a temptation to marvel if his standing would slip this season, following the arrival of Florian Wirtz. As an alternative, he has began each Premier or Champions League sport this season, other than when he has been banned. It was evident Slot preferred Szoboszlai in his debut yr at Anfield; but it surely was notable, too, that the pinnacle coach mentioned that, to play in midfield for Liverpool, you needed to rating objectives. The Hungarian bought too few, eight in 49 then.
“When mentioned that I possibly had so as to add that you’ll want to run lots should you play within the midfield for Liverpool,” mentioned Slot now. “However I feel what I meant was, as a No.10, you’ll want to produce objectives.”
Which Szoboszlai is now doing, however from quite a lot of roles. He reached double figures for the marketing campaign on Saturday – equalling his greatest return for RB Leipzig – however the tenth got here with a strong surge from deep as a central midfielder. His spectacular free kicks in opposition to Arsenal and Manchester Metropolis every got here when working as a right-back. “He hasn’t all the time performed within the No 10 place however is producing an increasing number of objectives,” famous Slot.
Commercial
A part of it stems from his set-piece experience; so do his assists. Szoboszlai can take free kicks that Salah used to get or corners that, in earlier years, would have gone to Trent Alexander-Arnold. He has lengthy struck the ball in a means that exudes class. Now it brings extra menace. Extra pleasure, too: when striding ahead however outdoors the field on Saturday, the Liverpool trustworthy have been calling on him to shoot.
(REUTERS)
When he does, he appears to be turning Liverpool’s goal-of-the-season award right into a one-man contest. Their participant of the yr prize had already felt determined: Szoboszlai once more. One comparability with Liverpool’s previous could possibly be Danny Murphy, their participant of 2002-03 however in a disappointing marketing campaign when too many others underachieved.
But the barnstorming run that introduced his objective on Saturday and his ferocious long-range taking pictures are extra harking back to maybe Liverpool’s most iconic captain, who was additionally no stranger to starring as others struggled. “Really, I’m not taking part in a season though he was a legend for the membership,” insisted Szoboszlai. “I attempt to do my very own story.”
Commercial
All the pieces in it may revolve round him. He appears to have inherited a few of Gerrard’s main-character power. Szoboszlai has gone into overdrive in 2026. In his final 9 video games, he has 5 objectives, two assists, in opposition to Barnsley and one purple card. He was man of the match at Arsenal and, had Liverpool held on to their lead in opposition to Manchester Metropolis, in all probability would have obtained the award once more. He has seemed a worthy heir of Gerrard’s No 8 shirt.
Szoboszlai’s model and drive are harking back to one other Liverpool No 8 (AFP by way of Getty Photographs)
He might but get his armband. Szoboszlai seems a pacesetter and a path to the captaincy is opening up. Alexander-Arnold left final summer season, Andy Robertson might comply with this, maybe Salah too. Virgil van Dijk has 18 months left on his deal and is 34. Szoboszlai appears a doable successor.
“He’s nonetheless younger,” warned Slot. “He has a number of attributes already, particularly with regards to main by instance. There may be nonetheless a step to make by way of management, a voice within the dressing room if I evaluate him to Virgil, which is totally regular. Virgil is 34 and has seen [James] Milner, [Jordan] Henderson and these gamers, so it’s actually good for Dominik that he sees Virgil.”
However when Salah sees Szoboszlai now, he believes he’s watching one of many world’s greatest gamers. And that could be a signal of what a shocking season the Hungarian is having.