Dominik Szoboszlai: The rise of the midfielder and why he’s becoming a leader at Liverpool
Those who see him every day at Liverpool describe him as fiercely competitive and with a clear desire to excel.
Szoboszlai is regularly among the first to arrive for training and it is no surprise that the club is ranked high in terms of running and physical statistics. No Liverpool player has come this far this season.
Milos Kerkez, who played with him for the club and the national team, said in a recent video published on Liverpool channels that Szoboszlai would have been a 400 meters runner if he had not been a footballer.
“He could run from Liverpool to Hungary tirelessly,” joked left-back Kerkez.
Szoboszlai is a determined man in his own right, but Salah’s high standards are understood to have a big impact on him. Outside of football, the couple enjoys playing backgammon and often hangs out together at each other’s homes.
Szoboszlai spoke out in his defense last month when he was labeled “disrespectful” by Barnsley boss Conor Hourihane for attempting a comeback in his own penalty area that led to a mistake and a goal for the League One side.
Arne Slot also had a special word to say.
At 25, his best years are ahead of him. Szoboszlai was appointed national team captain at the age of 22 and Liverpool see him as a future captain, just like Gerrard.
That possibility certainly exists, given that vice-captain Robertson is expected to leave this summer and Van Dijk’s contract expires in 2027.
Asked if Szoboszlai has the qualities to be a future leader, Slot said: “Yes, but he is still young. He already has a lot of qualities, especially when it comes to leading by example. If I compare him to Virgil, there is still a step to be made in terms of leadership, being vocal and having a say in the locker room, which is completely normal.”
“Virgil is 34 years old and has seen [James] Milner, [Jordan] Henderson and these players, it’s really good for Dominik to see Virgil. This will be the next step for him; To be as loud and loud as Virgil, but that comes with time.
“But despite everything else, he has a lot going for him to become a very influential player for Liverpool and you could call that a leader.”
In his first season at Liverpool, Jürgen Klopp’s final season, Szoboszlai was forced off in a game at Luton and his frustrations were summed up when he picked up the ball outside the stadium.
By the end of this campaign he found himself out of the starting line-up. Rather, it was him realizing what was needed for him to succeed in the Premier League.
Szoboszlai returned later that summer with a point to prove and has been under the Slot since 2025 – 2025 being the year he became a husband, father and Premier League champion.
He has played more minutes for Liverpool this term than in 2023-24, just 302 minutes shy of his tally from the previous season.
“Obviously it was very good [this season]added Van Dijk. “He is also a player who can take the next step towards becoming the leader of this team. He starts by leading by example and that is something he has done so far this season.
“But at the same time there is still progress to be made in everything around him and that is a good thing in my view, so I expect he will be very important at Liverpool for years to come.”
“This is a signing for both our present and our future,” Klopp said on signing Szoboszlai, who impressed at Red Bull Salzburg before joining RB Leipzig in 2021.
Liverpool will do everything they can to ensure it stays that way.
