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Liverpool star is 'closest thing to Steven Gerrard' after impressing under Arne Slot

Dominik Szoboszlai of Liverpool  celebrates after scoring his team third goal during the UEFA Champions League 2024/25 League Phase MD1 match between  AC Milan and Liverpool FC
-Credit: (Image: Getty Images)


Hungarian sensation Dominik Szoboszlai has been turning heads at Liverpool, earning plaudits from club legend John Barnes who's drawn comparisons between the young midfielder and Anfield great Steven Gerrard.

Although his first season with the Reds was marred by a hamstring issue and a goal contribution that might seem unremarkable (seven goals and four assists in all competitions), Szoboszlai is now coming into his own in an advanced midfield role under the guidance of Arne Slot.

Barnes took the time to shine a light on Szoboszlai's evolution and adaptability, praising his breadth of skills and even comparing his playing style to that of Gerrard during his heyday. In a discussion with Ladbrokes, the official betting partner for Liverpool, Barnes elaborated on Szoboszlai's deserved place among the starting ranks.

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"I don't think it's fair to say Dominik Szoboszlai has ever been forced into the Liverpool team... he earned his position in the team. He's a fantastic player," asserted Barnes. "He can do everything. He could play under Jurgen Klopp in terms of his height, his strength and his ability to drive forward, play quickly and counter-attack. He can also play in a very composed manner, so he can play in that number six role, or that number eight role.

"He's the closest I've seen to Steven Gerrard. You know, in terms of his range of passing, his dribbling, chasing back, his tackling... I look at him as an old-school midfielder who gets up and down. These days, you're generally one or the other; you're Kevin De Bruyne or you're Rodri.

"But Szoboszlai can do both, and so I think that the way Arne Slot wants to play will really, really suit him, because he's a very technical player, with the physical attributes to do so much more. We've seen it on several occasions already this season, but for me he's just a typical Liverpool player."

Adding another dimension to the midfield dynamics at Anfield, he pointed out that Szoboszlai could play a pivotal role in lightening the workload for Ryan Gravenberch, whos been filling the number six spot under Slot's leadership. Despite Liverpool not managing to secure their favored defensive midfield target, Martin Zubimendi from Real Sociedad, this summer, Barnes remains convinced that Klopp's side will revisit their strategies in the time ahead.

"Of course, that number six role was identified as an area Jurgen Klopp wanted to address," he elaborated. "That's why Endo was brought in as a short-term fix, with Martin Zubimendi maybe being the guy they wanted to bring in.

""But if you look at the way Arne Slot wants to play, there are many players, all of a sudden, within that squad who can do that job, and do it well. You know, Szoboszlai can player there, so can Gravenberch, and Curtis Jones can, too.

"A specialist number six would be ideal. We were unable to get who we wanted in the summer, and I wouldn't be surprised if that number six position is one we look at again in the future, but it's an area I think we're more than capable of coping in for now. ".

Following his standout performance in the Champions League, Dominik Szoboszlai, who notched a goal in Liverpool's 3-1 victory at the San Siro against AC Milan, looks set to take centre stage once more come Saturday (3pm) as the Reds welcome Bournemouth to Anfield in what promises to be a fiery Premier League clash.