Sports
I have a tattoo of Steven Gerrard — Dominik Szoboszlai
Can Dominik Szoboszlai do the no. 8 shirt justice after his confirmation as new Liverpool player?
Following the hype surrounding his transfer to Liverpool, Hungary international, Dominik Szoboszlai has officially been announced as the club’s second summer signing ahead of the 2023/24 season.
The Hungarian picks up the no. 8 shirt famously worn by club legend, Steven Gerrard, and was recently worn by Naby Keita prior to his return to the Bundesliga with Werder Bremen.
We hope you haven’t exceeded your rate limit for today… 👀 pic.twitter.com/bKCsBsNhY9
— Liverpool FC (@LFC) July 2, 2023
— Liverpool FC (@LFC) July 2, 2023
The completion of the signing of Dominik Szoboszlai from RB Leipzig, is subject to the acquisition of a work permit for the Hungarian.
The 22-year-old Hungarian becomes Liverpool’s second summer signing, following Alexis Mac Allister, after agreeing to terms and successfully undergoing a medical examination.
Szoboszlai arrives at Anfield after an impressive two-and-a-half-year stint in the Bundesliga with RB Leipzig, amassing 91 appearances across all competitions. In his first interview at the AXA Training Centre, the talented midfielder expressed his excitement about joining Liverpool.
He said,
“It’s really, really good. I enjoyed the last few days, and I’m looking forward to knowing everybody better. The last three or four days were quite long and challenging, but in the end, I’m here, I’m happy, and I can’t wait to get started.”
Szoboszlai acknowledged Liverpool’s rich history, talented players, and renowned coaching staff as key factors in his decision to make the move. He expressed his eagerness to contribute to the club’s success and praised the passionate fanbase and iconic stadium.
The Hungarian midfielder began his professional career in the youth system of Austrian club Red Bull Salzburg. After making his debut for FC Liefering, Salzburg’s sister club, he quickly impressed with 10 goals in 33 appearances during the 2017-2018 season. Szoboszlai then returned to Salzburg and made his first-team debut as a substitute against Austria Vienna in May 2018.
During his time at Salzburg, he showcased his immense talent, scoring 26 goals in 83 appearances and making a notable impact in the UEFA Champions League group stage matches against Liverpool in the 2019-2020 season. He was recognized as the Austrian Bundesliga Player of the Season for the 2019-2020 campaign.
In January 2021, Szoboszlai made the switch to RB Leipzig. However, an injury setback delayed his debut for the club until the beginning of the 2021-2022 season.
Despite the setback, he featured prominently for Leipzig, making 91 appearances, scoring 20 goals, and providing 22 assists in all competitions. His contributions played a crucial role in Leipzig’s back-to-back triumphs in the DFB-Pokal in 2022 and 2023.
On the international stage, Szoboszlai has earned 32 caps for Hungary and netted seven goals since his debut in March 2019 against Slovakia. His performances have caught the attention of football enthusiasts worldwide.
Liverpool supporters will now eagerly await Szoboszlai’s work permit approval, as the club anticipates his contributions to the midfield.
The addition of Dominik Szoboszlai further strengthens Liverpool’s squad ahead of the upcoming season, and his versatile playing style and technical abilities make him an exciting prospect for the team.
On choosing the no. 8 shirt, Szoboszlai opens up on being a Steven Gerrard fan, speaking of his admiration for the Liverpool legend during his playing time at the club:
“I have a tattoo from Steven Gerrard. That was a reason why. When I was a child, to be honest I didn’t watch that much football, but when it was Champions League, I watched and he was one of the biggest.”
