Rising Star Dominik Szoboszlai: Liverpool's Promising Set-Piece Maestro and Haaland Connection Set to Ignite Anfield
Liverpool set to sign Dominik Szoboszlai, triggering his £60m release clause at RB Leipzig The talented midfielder is a former teammate of Erling Haaland, poised to become Liverpool's new set-piece specialist Anfield awaits his arrival eagerly
Content: The remarkable aspect of Dominik Szoboszlai lies in his incredible skill to turn the evident into an unstoppable force.
Come October 21, during the inaugural Merseyside derby of the season, Jordan Pickford will not require any aid from a repository of penalty preferences in order to decipher Szoboszlai's tactics.
The goalkeeper's accuracy in converting 15 out of his last 16 spot-kicks demonstrates his unwavering confidence in executing what goalkeepers typically anticipate. While big transfers dominate the summer headlines, Liverpool aims to prioritize cost-effectiveness and adaptability in their recruitment strategy.
Szoboszlai the value pick in sellers' market
Julian Nagelsmann, the ex-manager of RB Leipzig, once praised Dominik for his versatility stating, "Dominik exhibits the ability to excel in multiple positions. He thrives as an attacking midfielder, as well as a left-sided attacker or on the left wing. Additionally, he is equally proficient on the right side. During his time at Salzburg, he primarily operated as a number 10 and occasionally as a left-sided number 8."
Alexis Mac Allister, a 24-year-old World Cup champion, perfectly matches the player profile desired by Jurgen Klopp. With his versatility to play both in midfield and on the wings, Szoboszlai, a specialist in set-pieces, possesses similar qualities. He has the potential to achieve widespread recognition but remains attractive to other clubs even if he faces difficulties in adapting. At just 22 years old, the Hungarian captain is on the cusp of further development.
With 32 appearances for his national team, Szoboszlai, pronounced as 'Sob-oss-lie,' is regarded as a revered figure in his homeland due to his long-standing presence on the international stage.
RB Salzburg, Leipzig's affiliated club, acquired Szoboszlai at the young age of 16, where he thrived in Austria alongside Erling Haaland before his transfer to Borussia Dortmund.
With Haaland no longer on the scene, Szoboszlai became his side's lynchpin, earning him the Austrian Bundesliga's player of the year award in 2020.
Bouncing back from Euro 2020 heartache
He finished eighth in the highly acclaimed Golden Boy award for the most promising talent in Europe that year. This prestigious honor is bestowed upon by esteemed European journalists. As a result, he was ready to exhibit his exceptional skills on a grander platform.
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Szoboszlai's talent and attitude are highly appreciated, although he was unable to participate in Euro 2020 due to a groin injury. This unfortunate setback occurred after he scored the crucial last-minute goal against Iceland, which ensured our qualification.
Despite being only 20 years old, Szoboszlai was already regarded as Hungary's finest player in years, giving hope to those who had longed for the glorious days of the "Magic Magyars" era, once led by Ferenc Puskas. This setback came as a devastating blow to a country that had not participated in a World Cup since 1986 but had recently earned their ticket to the European Championships for the second time in a row.
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Hungary's captain featured in Euro 2024 qualifying
During the team's training camp near Salzburg, Austria, the head coach Marco Rose expressed his concern about the player's physical condition. He highlighted that the captain is not fit enough to even make a brief appearance as a substitute. Rose admitted his disappointment in being unable to field the captain.
Szoboszlai is departing Saxony to join Klopp's revitalization project, which is gaining momentum. Liverpool fans will be thrilled by his skill to control space, make precise passes, and execute penalties or set-pieces.
Throughout the previous season, he played on the right flank in 24 matches across various competitions, netting eight goals and providing five assists. Under Rose's guidance, when positioned more centrally, he scored five goals and contributed three assists for his teammates.
Liverpool's Leipzig connection
Although tall, he possesses feather-like feet that effortlessly glide across the field, reminiscent of the legendary Zinedine Zidane. Additionally, his mesmerizing talent for executing free-kicks, scoring goals from long distances, and creating defense-breaking assists mirrors the exceptional abilities of Kevin de Bruyne.
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Szoboszlai demonstrated his superior quality during a recent European Qualifier against Montenegro. Although the match ended without any goals and was largely forgettable, Szoboszlai stood out among the players. He only had to glance at the opposing team for a cautionary example, particularly Naby Keita and Ibrahima Konate.
Stevan Jovetic, now 33, played for the opposition after his thrilling and expensive transfer to Manchester City ten years ago. Like Szoboszlai, Jovetic was highly sought after in European football, but his time at City for three years did not meet the expectations set after leaving Fiorentina.
Szoboszlai, despite his young career, appears to be at ease playing on the small pitch in Podgorica. His talents have caught the attention of several clubs, with Eddie Howe and Newcastle showing considerable interest. However, once Liverpool expressed their desire to acquire him, they quickly emerged as the frontrunners.
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Szoboszlai will sign a five-year deal until summer 2028
Szoboszlai is expected to join the Premier League, even with interest from clubs all over Europe. Given his salary of approximately £80,000-a-week at Leipzig, a substantial pay raise likely enticed him. The Merseysiders have a positive relationship with the Bundesliga club, having previously signed Naby Keita and Ibrahima Konate from them. Recently, Fabio Carvalho went in the opposite direction on a season-long loan.
After commencing his senior career at Liefering, Szoboszlai signed for Red Bull Salzburg in 2018 before joining Leipzig in 2021 despite interest from AC Milan and Real Madrid.
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Szoboszlai won the German Cup with RB Leipzig
He achieved four Austrian title victories and secured the Austrian Cup three times during his tenure at Salzburg. After moving to Leipzig, he triumphed in the DFB-Pokal twice and now aims to guide his new club back to the Champions League.
Without Szoboszlai, Hungary would fail to advance beyond the group stages in Euro 2020. However, his performance has significantly boosted his reputation. Throughout the 2022/23 campaign, Liverpool appeared fatigued, but the addition of new talent has rejuvenated the team. As the newest star to emerge from Red Bull's renowned talent development system, Liverpool's latest acquisition is now ready to shine on the grandest stage.
What would Szoboszlai bring?
European football expert Andy Brassell on The Transfer Show:
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Szoboszlai is an exceptional player who is well-prepared for the Premier League. He displays remarkable versatility, tirelessly covering ground in both attacking and defensive areas. With his outstanding athleticism, impressive technique, and penchant for long-range shots, he possesses the ability to both score and create goals. Moreover, he thrives on shouldering the responsibility of propelling a team forward.
Both Newcastle and Liverpool, the clubs associated with his potential transfer, would provide ideal environments for him. Under Eddie Howe, Newcastle has become a force to be reckoned with in terms of athleticism, making them an excellent match for Szoboszlai. Additionally, Liverpool's midfield lacked dynamism in the previous season, and his presence would undoubtedly enhance their performance.
Klopp breaks £100m barrier for first time since 2018
We News' Mark McAdam:
Klopp has consistently maintained a competitive team against Man City despite limited financial resources in previous windows. However, it is noteworthy that this is the first time since 2018 that he has exceeded £100m expenditure.
The owners of the team, FSG, have typically exercised caution in their financial decisions. Yet, in this particular window, Klopp is receiving significant financial support, resulting in a new and distinct type of transfer activity.
