Dominik Szoboszlai's Main Character Energy Season at Liverpool
From a variety of roles on the pitch, Dominik Szoboszlai has reached double figures for the season while looking like a worthy inheritor of Steven Gerrard's iconic number eight shirt. The Hungarian midfielder is increasingly being viewed as a future Liverpool captain, with his performances this campaign drawing widespread praise from teammates and pundits alike.
Mohamed Salah's Glowing Endorsement
Mohamed Salah spoke from a position of experience and expertise when discussing his teammate. "He is one of the best players in the world right now," said the Egyptian forward, who himself has been described in such terms for much of the past decade. Many Liverpool players have been asked to eulogise about Salah over the years, but now there appears to be a shift in the pecking order at Anfield, with Salah being invited to praise Szoboszlai instead.
The Egyptian did so willingly, highlighting their friendship despite the positional competition that saw Szoboszlai take Salah's spot on the right wing during November. When Szoboszlai borrowed Salah's yoga-inspired goal celebration against Barnsley, it was seen as an affectionate tribute between teammates. Now, in another role reversal, Szoboszlai has actually outscored Salah this season, marking a significant development in Liverpool's attacking hierarchy.
Managerial Praise and Statistical Evidence
Liverpool manager Arne Slot has had his disagreements with Salah this season but offered his own assessment of Szoboszlai's quality. "I think there are a lot of very good-to-elite football players in the world," said Slot, "but I definitely agree with Mo that Dom is one of them."
A compelling statistic supports this argument. Szoboszlai's latest all-action display came against Brighton in the FA Cup, but this season, only Kylian Mbappe has more goal contributions in the Champions League. The Hungarian has eight contributions total, scoring four goals and providing four assists. Among these are significant moments:
- A late winner against Inter Milan at San Siro
- An assist for Alexis Mac Allister's only goal against Real Madrid
- The corner that led to Virgil van Dijk's injury-time decider against Atletico Madrid
- The opening goal in Liverpool's match against Marseille
No wonder Salah remarked: "This season we rely on him so much." There had been some speculation that Szoboszlai's status might diminish following the arrival of Florian Wirtz, but instead he has started every Premier League and Champions League game this season apart from when suspended.
Evolution as a Goal Threat
It was evident that Slot appreciated Szoboszlai during his debut year at Anfield, but the head coach notably emphasized that to play in midfield for Liverpool, "you had to score goals." The Hungarian managed only eight in forty-nine appearances that season. "When I said that, I maybe had to add that you need to run a lot if you play in midfield for Liverpool," reflected Slot. "But I think what I meant was, as a number ten, you need to produce goals."
Szoboszlai is now doing exactly that, but from multiple positions. He reached double figures for the campaign on Saturday, equalling his best return for RB Leipzig, with his tenth goal coming from a powerful surge from deep as a central midfielder. His spectacular free kicks against Arsenal and Manchester City each came when operating as a right-back. "He hasn't always played in the number ten position but is producing more and more goals," noted Slot.
Set-Piece Expertise and Growing Influence
Part of Szoboszlai's effectiveness stems from his set-piece expertise, which also contributes to his assist tally. The Hungarian now takes free kicks that Salah used to claim and corners that previously would have gone to Trent Alexander-Arnold. He has long struck the ball with technical class, but now that ability brings greater menace and excitement. When striding forward outside the box during Saturday's match, Liverpool supporters were actively encouraging him to shoot.
When he does shoot, Szoboszlai appears to be turning Liverpool's goal-of-the-season award into a one-man contest. The player of the year prize already feels decided in his favor. One historical comparison might be Danny Murphy, Liverpool's player of the 2002-03 season during a disappointing campaign when too many others underachieved.
Comparisons to Steven Gerrard
However, the barnstorming runs that brought his goal on Saturday and his ferocious long-range shooting are more reminiscent of perhaps Liverpool's most iconic captain, Steven Gerrard, who was also no stranger to starring while others struggled. "Actually, I am not playing a Steven Gerrard season although he was a legend for the club," insisted Szoboszlai. "I try to do my own story."
Yet everything in that story seems to revolve around him. Szoboszlai appears to have inherited some of Gerrard's main-character energy, going into overdrive in 2026. In his last nine games, he has recorded:
- Five goals
- Two assists
- One goal conceded in ridiculous fashion against Barnsley
- One red card
He was man of the match at Arsenal and, had Liverpool held on to their lead against Manchester City, would likely have received the award again. He has looked a worthy inheritor of Gerrard's number eight shirt and may yet claim the captain's armband.
Future Leadership Potential
Szoboszlai displays clear leadership qualities, and a path to the captaincy is opening up at Anfield. Alexander-Arnold departed last summer, Andy Robertson may follow this year, and perhaps Salah too. Virgil van Dijk has eighteen months remaining on his contract and is thirty-four years old. Szoboszlai appears a natural successor.
"He is still young," cautioned Slot. "He has a lot of attributes already, especially when it comes to leading by example. There is still a step to make in terms of leadership, a voice in the dressing room if I compare him to Virgil, which is completely normal. Virgil is thirty-four and has seen James Milner, Jordan Henderson and these players, so it's really good for Dominik that he sees Virgil."
But when Salah observes Szoboszlai now, he believes he is watching one of the world's best players. That assessment serves as the ultimate testament to the stunning season the Hungarian is currently enjoying, establishing himself as Liverpool's new main character and potential future leader.
