Liverpool’s new £60 million signing. Dominik Szoboszlai is confident, believing that his Manchester City teammates Erling Haaland and Josko Gvardiol will finish below him this season.
Szoboszlai, who has made an impression at Anfield, had a strong bond with Haaland at RB Salzburg and last season played with City’s £77 million defender Gvardiol and Chelsea’s Christopher Nkunku at Leipzig.
The busy schedule has prevented “Szobo” as he is known in the Liverpool dressing room from seeing his neighbor Haaland, but he has a clear message when asked which of the group will finish highest in the Premier League.
“Us,” declares the Hungarian international without doubt. ‘It is not a joke; I am thinking about it. Even when things are difficult, I always think that way.
‘There are really good teams in the league, but so are we. We have an excellent coach and players. I’m the type who wants to be first. I want to win everything because no one will ask you how it feels to be second.
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Dominik Szoboszlai believes that Liverpool will finish ahead of his former teammates from RB Leipzig
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Szoboszlai played with Haaland at Red Bull Salzburg and Josko Gvardiol at RB Leipzig
‘Clubs like City will believe they are going to win, and we are thinking the same.’
It’s unusual for a young player to be so openly ambitious, but Liverpool fans will appreciate his confidence. After losing five midfielders during the transfer window and uncertainty about Mo Salah’s future, Szoboszlai has been a breath of fresh air.
The creative 22-year-old assisted two goals against Bournemouth last weekend, but he has a more difficult challenge against Champions League rivals Newcastle on Wednesday.
Szoboszlai, who had been taught by his father, a former professional player, and had advanced through what he refers to as the “Red Bull family” to Champions League level, was on holiday with friends in Croatia when Jurgen Klopp made his decision.
‘My agent rang and said “OK, you have to stop enjoying and take care of yourself! You have to leave.’
In Salzburg and Leipzig, he learned to press – music to Klopp’s ears. It means he is capable of unlocking defences as a No10 but also has the work-rate to play deeper.
England players already know about him. Twice, Szoboszlai has appeared on the winning side for Hungary against the Three Lions, scoring the winning penalty in Budapest in last year’s Nations League.
There will be healthy rivalry with his former team-mates Gvardiol, Nkunku and Haaland now in England. ‘Of course they are my friends but for the 90 minutes we play against each other, they will not be,’ he says.
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The Reds have started the season with a draw and a win against Chelsea and Bournemouth
‘Erling scored 52 goals last season. I knew he could do that because I’d seen his quality. He is probably going to continue like that, but I am looking out for myself and my team.
‘When I speak with Erling, it’s usually about everyday stuff, not football. We know each other’s families. He is two houses next to me but it’s going to take time to find a solution to see each other! We have training, we have away matches, and he has been to Greece (for the European Super Cup).
‘I won’t care when we compete that he’s a really good friend. He won’t care either. I am out to help myself and my team-mates. If I score a last-minute goal, I am even happier.’
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