Dominik Szoboszlai: Uncovering 10 Fascinating Facts About His Hungarian Heritage and Injury History
With Liverpool on the verge of announcing their second summer acquisition, we bring you everything you need to know about Hungary’s Dominik Szoboszlai.
The 22-year-old is likely to follow Alexis MacAllister through the door as Jurgen Klopp continues to operate on his squad, with fans ecstatic about the Reds’ new-look midfield.
It is fair to say that there are many unknowns around Liverpool’s newest signing, with the transaction moving so quickly that supporters have had little opportunity to undertake the normal study into the potential signing.
With that in mind, we’ve produced a list of 10 facts about Szoboszlai that you should be aware of before his visit.
1. Excellent fitness record!
Given Liverpool’s recent injury woes, fans will be relieved to see that Szoboszlai has missed only one game due to injury in the last two seasons.
The Hungarian suffered an ankle injury in November 2021 but has since been declared healthy. Everyone who is reading this should go touch some wood!
2. He understands where the aim is.
The Reds have been lacking in midfield goals for some years, but the 22-year-old’s arrival could be set to change that.
Szoboszlai scored 10 goals and provided 13 assists for RB Leipzig last season, indicating that he is an adept set-piece taker who is not afraid to fire from distance.
3. Footballing clan
Zsolt Szoboszlai, Szoboszlai’s father, was a former professional footballer who played for numerous clubs in Hungary before retiring in 2012.
He eventually became a coach, founding his own youth team, Akademie Fönix Gold FC, to spend time working with his kid while he learned the game.
4. Setting the standard on a global scale
Szoboszlai is an immensely popular character for the Hungarian national team, in addition to having a successful club career.
In November, he was named captain of his country, joining Andy Robertson and Virgil van Dijk as Liverpool players to wear their countries’ armbands.
At the age of 22, he has already earned 32 caps for Hungary and scored seven international goals.
5. He can play pretty much anyplace!
Last season, the manager tried a number of various systems before settling on a 3-4-3 formation, which inspired a seven-game winning streak in April and May.
Szoboszlai can play in several positions throughout the middle of the field, as well as on the right wing, and could provide Klopp with a plethora of alternatives next season.
6. Friendship with Haaland
Next season, Liverpool’s newcomer may have to put friendships aside when he comes up against one of his close buddies.
Erling Haaland and Szoboszlai grew close during their time at RB Salzburg, and Haaland has subsequently risen to international prominence with spells at Borussia Dortmund and Manchester City.
7. Precocious ability
Regarding the Manchester City attacker, Szoboszlai’s former RB Leipzig manager Jesse Marsch stated, “Dominik is just as talented as Haaland” when discussing the midfielder’s innate ability.
It is high praise for the incoming midfielder and gives fans reason to be thrilled about what he could bring to a Klopp-managed Liverpool squad next season.
8. Anfield preference
Various stories in recent days have suggested that despite interest from Eddie Howe’s Newcastle, the midfielder was dead set on joining the Reds.
The Magpies have substantially more financial clout than Liverpool and might provide Szoboszlai Champions League action next season, but Sky Sports’ Melissa Reddy, among others, stated that the 22-year-old made it clear from the start that he wanted to come to Merseyside.
9. He’s played at Anfield before
The midfielder’s Anfield debut will not be his first, having appeared in a seven-goal thriller with RB Salzburg back in 2019.
Haaland and former Red Takumi Minamino scored as the Reds squandered a 3-0 lead before Mohamed Salah scored the game-winning goal with 20 minutes remaining.
10. Liverpool’s fourth Hungarian
Szoboszlai will become the fourth player from his country to play for the Reds when he makes his debut.
Both goalkeepers Adam Bogdan and Peter Gulacsi are from Hungary, and the first was midfielder Istvan Kozma, who made six appearances for the club.
