09 August 2023 , 14:56
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Dominik Szoboszlai knew he had to go up another level if he wanted to make an impact at Liverpool after his signing was confirmed.
The Hungarian is the club's most expensive arrival so far, joining from RB Leipzig after impressing in Salzburg prior to that. Szoboszlai has come up against Liverpool in the Champions League and is well aware of the quality that already exists at Anfield.
The 22-year-old was part of a Salzburg side that battled back from 3-0 down to draw level, only to end up losing 4-3 back in 2019. He is expected to slot straight into the midfield but was given a baptism of fire as he began training with his new team-mates, who have been renowned for their intensity under Jurgen Klopp.
He told the club's website : “When I played against Liverpool with Salzburg and Leipzig you could see they have a lot of quality. When I knew I was going to join, I sat down for like five minutes and thought, ‘Well, I have to do now even more because they have really, really good quality, they have really, really good players.’ After the first session, I just felt it like: ‘OK, let’s get ready.’”
Szoboszlai has featured in Liverpool's pre-season, which has seen them score with regularity. One man he's reunited with on Merseyside is Ibrahima Konate, who was been at the club for two years having previously played for Leipzig alongside the Hungarian.
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He added: “I know Ibou from Leipzig, so when I came he was the main guy who I spoke to the most because I knew him, but actually, everybody is really nice; Trent, Cody, Mo, everybody is trying to help me and if I have something, they are there. I understand English but my German is better, so if it’s a serious talk [with the manager] it’s probably going to be in German!”
Dominik Szoboszlai has hailed the strength of Liverpool's squadSzoboszlai has walked into a Liverpool dressing room that has seen huge change over the summer. Several stalwarts like James Milner have left the club and then the Reds opted to cash in on Jordan Henderson and Fabinho, who both left for Saudi Arabia.
It meant a huge core of their leadership group opted to move on with Virgil van Dijk now being handed the armband and Trent Alexander-Arnold being named vice-captain. Szoboszlai has skippered his country and is ready to assist should he be needed.
“The coach knows they are a leader and that’s why Virg got the captaincy and Trent got the vice-captaincy," he said. "They are ready for it. Trent is 24 but [has] a lot of experience in the Premier League, won everything with this club, born in Liverpool. It’s also a proud moment for both of them. I’m a guy in the midfield who wants to help them."