Dominik Szoboszlai is a Liverpool player, with the Reds confirming that a £60 million ($76m) transfer has been completed.
- Attacking midfielder pens long-term deal
- Taking on a Premier League challenge
- Klopp wanted to add more creativity
WHAT HAPPENED? The 22-year-old attacking midfielder has reportedly signed a five-year contract at Anfield, with those terms set to keep him on Merseyside until the summer of 2028. Jurgen Klopp had made the acquisition of another creative influence a top priority for the latest window, having previously been linked with Mason Mount, and has ticked that box in a big-money deal that saw Szoboszlai’s €70m release clause at RB Leipzig triggered.
Newcastle had also been interested in the 22-year-old midfielder, but once Szoboszlai made clear his desire to move to Anfield, it removed all other interested parties from the equation.
Szoboszlai underwent a medical on Merseyside on Saturday and Sunday and, subject to a work permit, he will become Liverpool’s second signing of the summer after the arrival of Alexis Mac Allister from Brighton for an initial £35m.
Like Mac Allister, Liverpool are understood to see Szoboszlai as a multi-functional midfielder who offers tactical flexibility due to his ability to play in different roles and systems. Jurgen Klopp believes he is capable of playing as a number 8 or a number 10, while he can also operate in both wide positions.
There is a clear appreciation at Anfield for Szoboszlai’s talent and attitude as well as the Hungarian’s comfort in playing across the midfield. His impressive chance-creation metrics and ball-carrying ability also fit the profile Liverpool are after.
The club explored multiple options as they look to enhance the technical quality, dynamism and depth in midfield.
Liverpool considered Szoboszlai a more viable option to Mason Mount, who will have a medical with Manchester United early next week, due to his comparative value, age and versatility. Liverpool also considered the deal for Szoboszlai to be more straightforward to complete given the release clause.
Liverpool think Szoboszlai is a natural leader and a player of significant maturity, despite his youth, having been made captain of Hungary at just 22 following a vote by his international team-mates.
Ultimately, Szoboszlai became a key target for Klopp, who had followed his progress in the Bundesliga, having received glowing reports from friends and former colleagues in Germany.
Liverpool are navigating the biggest shake-up of Klopp’s tenure at a time when the market – especially for midfielders – is severely inflated, and without Champions League revenue or a big-player sale to help.
WHAT THEY SAID?: Szoboszlai expressed his delight in his first interview for Liverpool’s official website, saying: “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 went really long; it was not that easy. But at the end I’m here, I’m happy and I can’t wait to get started. [A] really historic club, really good players, good coach, everything is good. For me it was perfect to make the next step in a club like this. The fans, the stadium, everything is really good.”
WHAT NEXT? Szoboszlai has taken on the No.8 shirt at Liverpool that has previously been worn by the likes of Steven Gerrard and Naby Keita, and will be hoping to make his competitive debut for the Reds when they open their 2023-24 Premier League campaign away at Chelsea on August 13. READ MORE
World of sports 
Leave a comment