Locked in
Dominik Szoboszlai seemed to be channelling Steven Gerrard as he shone through at Liverpool last season, but make no mistake: the Hungarian is his own man
WORDS Adrian Harte | PHOTOGRAPHY Michael Regan
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New season, new head coach, new players – it has been a summer of transformation at Liverpool but, happily, some things remain the same. Hungarian talisman Dominik Szoboszlai, the Reds’ standout performer in an underwhelming 2025/26 season, is going nowhere after signing a new contract that will keep him at Anfield until 2031. It was pretty much the club’s first piece of business under Andoni Iraola – and for good reason. The coming campaign means fresh hope and possibilities for Liverpool, who barely squeezed back into the Champions League after finishing fifth in England under Arne Slot. Key to their prospects at home and abroad will be their energetic No8, named by fans as the Reds’ player of the season last term. Szoboszlai has already praised Iraola for restoring “intensity” to their play, and the admiration is mutual, with the former Bournemouth boss citing the midfielder’s contract extension as possibly the “greatest news since I arrived”.
It’s not hard to see why as the Basque tactician launches a new era. Rewind to January and Szoboszlai stands over a free-kick in first-half stoppage time at the Stade Vélodrome, with Liverpool and Marseille locked at 0-0 in the Champions League. The French hosts may be expecting a repeat of the howitzer he scored against Arsenal five months previously but, noticing that OM have neglected to append a draft excluder to their wall, Szoboszlai shoots – or rather putts – the ball under the wall and low into the corner. “I did my homework,” he said.
The 25-year-old has been doing his homework all his life. His father Zsolt started putting him through training drills aged three, and Szoboszlai Jr was the keenest student and most famous graduate of the Főnix Gold academy that Zsolt co-founded in Székesfehérvár in 2007. Unique training methods included using coloured headbands instead of bibs to improve passing vision, and holding golf balls in both hands to prevent shirt-pulling. Szoboszlai left for Salzburg aged 16, helping them win four Austrian titles and three cups, before switching in 2021 to RB Leipzig, where he added two more cup successes to his growing collection.
By 2023 he was on the move again, and while injury curtailed a promising debut season with Liverpool, Szoboszlai starred as they won the Premier League in 2024/25. The Reds’ title defence never really got going, despite the best efforts of their Hungarian maestro; he stood head and shoulders above his team-mates. His dead-ball prowess – he scored four goals from direct free-kicks – caught the eye, but it was the pressing, passing and versatility that underlined his importance. He appeared in central midfield, right midfield, as a false nine and even at right-back over the course of the campaign.
As a schoolboy, Szoboszlai received permission from his father to have a quote attributed to Steven Gerrard tattooed on his arm. Nine years later, Gerrard said of his heir apparent: “I hope he stays around for a long time because I think there’s a potential captain in there.” With that new contract signed, Liverpool fans – and Gerrard – have much to look forward to.
What first drew you to the game?
My dad played football. I went to watch his games, I went to his training sessions, and he also coached, so I really had no option other than to start playing football myself as it was a part of my everyday life. My first football-related memory – or the one I remember being told about – is dribbling around water bottles in my room.
All smiles after signing a new deal until 2031 (right)
All smiles after signing a new deal until 2031 (right)
“We decided what I wanted to be, what my goals were, my dreams, and soon these dreams became goals because they seemed attainable”
Tying Szoboszlai down to a new contract was pretty much the club’s first piece of business under Andoni Iraola – and for good reason
You are very driven. Where does that come from?
I think you’re born with that. You cannot learn or buy or get it from someone; you’re just born with it. If you carry this with you throughout your career, it becomes clear that this is quite a good quality to have. I have the same drive as I had before my career, at the beginning or in the middle of my career. It hasn’t changed and I don’t think it will.
You clearly love fashion. How would you describe your personal style?
I am open to everything, to new things, even if it might be too much for others. I’m happy when I can wear things that make me stand out from the crowd a little. I met a guy who works as a stylist and we talked things through and figured out how to do this.
You wear the No8 shirt at Liverpool once possessed by Steven Gerrard. What is it about Gerrard that has inspired you as a player?
We are talking about a club legend. When I was a child, because I loved football, I loved to watch videos of his games on YouTube because he is a legend. I challenge myself every day to get close to his levels, but I want to write my own story and I don’t want to be stuck in his shadow. I respect him and what he achieved during his amazing career.
Szoboszlai flaunts his flair for fashion (left); the midfielder shows off one of many intricate tattoos (top)
Szoboszlai flaunts his flair for fashion (left); the midfielder shows off one of many intricate tattoos (top)
It’s not hard to see why as the Basque tactician launches a new era. Rewind to January and Szoboszlai stands over a free-kick in first-half stoppage time at the Stade Vélodrome, with Liverpool and Marseille locked at 0-0 in the Champions League. The French hosts may be expecting a repeat of the howitzer he scored against Arsenal five months previously but, noticing that OM have neglected to append a draft excluder to their wall, Szoboszlai shoots – or rather putts – the ball under the wall and low into the corner. “I did my homework,” he said.
The 25-year-old has been doing his homework all his life. His father Zsolt started putting him through training drills aged three, and Szoboszlai Jr was the keenest student and most famous graduate of the Főnix Gold academy that Zsolt co-founded in Székesfehérvár in 2007. Unique training methods included using coloured headbands instead of bibs to improve passing vision, and holding golf balls in both hands to prevent shirt-pulling. Szoboszlai left for Salzburg aged 16, helping them win four Austrian titles and three cups, before switching in 2021 to RB Leipzig, where he added two more cup successes to his growing collection.
By 2023 he was on the move again, and while injury curtailed a promising debut season with Liverpool, Szoboszlai starred as they won the Premier League in 2024/25. The Reds’ title defence never really got going, despite the best efforts of their Hungarian maestro; he stood head and shoulders above his team-mates. His dead-ball prowess – he scored four goals from direct free-kicks – caught the eye, but it was the pressing, passing and versatility that underlined his importance. He appeared in central midfield, right midfield, as a false nine and even at right-back over the course of the campaign.
As a schoolboy, Szoboszlai received permission from his father to have a quote attributed to Steven Gerrard tattooed on his arm. Nine years later, Gerrard said of his heir apparent: “I hope he stays around for a long time because I think there’s a potential captain in there.” With that new contract signed, Liverpool fans – and Gerrard – have much to look forward to.
What first drew you to the game?
My dad played football. I went to watch his games, I went to his training sessions, and he also coached, so I really had no option other than to start playing football myself as it was a part of my everyday life. My first football-related memory – or the one I remember being told about – is dribbling around water bottles in my room.
All smiles after signing a new deal until 2031 (right)
All smiles after signing a new deal until 2031 (right)
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“We decided what I wanted to be, what my goals were, my dreams, and soon these dreams became goals because they seemed attainable”
Tying Szoboszlai down to a new contract was pretty much the club’s first piece of business under Andoni Iraola – and for good reason
You are very driven. Where does that come from?
I think you’re born with that. You cannot learn or buy or get it from someone; you’re just born with it. If you carry this with you throughout your career, it becomes clear that this is quite a good quality to have. I have the same drive as I had before my career, at the beginning or in the middle of my career. It hasn’t changed and I don’t think it will.
You clearly love fashion. How would you describe your personal style?
I am open to everything, to new things, even if it might be too much for others. I’m happy when I can wear things that make me stand out from the crowd a little. I met a guy who works as a stylist and we talked things through and figured out how to do this.
You wear the No8 shirt at Liverpool once possessed by Steven Gerrard. What is it about Gerrard that has inspired you as a player?
We are talking about a club legend. When I was a child, because I loved football, I loved to watch videos of his games on YouTube because he is a legend. I challenge myself every day to get close to his levels, but I want to write my own story and I don’t want to be stuck in his shadow. I respect him and what he achieved during his amazing career.
Szoboszlai flaunts his flair for fashion (left); the midfielder shows off one of many intricate tattoos (top)
Szoboszlai flaunts his flair for fashion (left); the midfielder shows off one of many intricate tattoos (top)
It’s not hard to see why as the Basque tactician launches a new era. Rewind to January and Szoboszlai stands over a free-kick in first-half stoppage time at the Stade Vélodrome, with Liverpool and Marseille locked at 0-0 in the Champions League. The French hosts may be expecting a repeat of the howitzer he scored against Arsenal five months previously but, noticing that OM have neglected to append a draft excluder to their wall, Szoboszlai shoots – or rather putts – the ball under the wall and low into the corner. “I did my homework,” he said.
The 25-year-old has been doing his homework all his life. His father Zsolt started putting him through training drills aged three, and Szoboszlai Jr was the keenest student and most famous graduate of the Főnix Gold academy that Zsolt co-founded in Székesfehérvár in 2007. Unique training methods included using coloured headbands instead of bibs to improve passing vision, and holding golf balls in both hands to prevent shirt-pulling. Szoboszlai left for Salzburg aged 16, helping them win four Austrian titles and three cups, before switching in 2021 to RB Leipzig, where he added two more cup successes to his growing collection.
By 2023 he was on the move again, and while injury curtailed a promising debut season with Liverpool, Szoboszlai starred as they won the Premier League in 2024/25. The Reds’ title defence never really got going, despite the best efforts of their Hungarian maestro; he stood head and shoulders above his team-mates. His dead-ball prowess – he scored four goals from direct free-kicks – caught the eye, but it was the pressing, passing and versatility that underlined his importance. He appeared in central midfield, right midfield, as a false nine and even at right-back over the course of the campaign.
As a schoolboy, Szoboszlai received permission from his father to have a quote attributed to Steven Gerrard tattooed on his arm. Nine years later, Gerrard said of his heir apparent: “I hope he stays around for a long time because I think there’s a potential captain in there.” With that new contract signed, Liverpool fans – and Gerrard – have much to look forward to.
What first drew you to the game?
My dad played football. I went to watch his games, I went to his training sessions, and he also coached, so I really had no option other than to start playing football myself as it was a part of my everyday life. My first football-related memory – or the one I remember being told about – is dribbling around water bottles in my room.
All smiles after signing a new deal until 2031 (right)
All smiles after signing a new deal until 2031 (right)
“We decided what I wanted to be, what my goals were, my dreams, and soon these dreams became goals because they seemed attainable”
Tying Szoboszlai down to a new contract was pretty much the club’s first piece of business under Andoni Iraola – and for good reason
You are very driven. Where does that come from?
I think you’re born with that. You cannot learn or buy or get it from someone; you’re just born with it. If you carry this with you throughout your career, it becomes clear that this is quite a good quality to have. I have the same drive as I had before my career, at the beginning or in the middle of my career. It hasn’t changed and I don’t think it will.
You clearly love fashion. How would you describe your personal style?
I am open to everything, to new things, even if it might be too much for others. I’m happy when I can wear things that make me stand out from the crowd a little. I met a guy who works as a stylist and we talked things through and figured out how to do this.
You wear the No8 shirt at Liverpool once possessed by Steven Gerrard. What is it about Gerrard that has inspired you as a player?
We are talking about a club legend. When I was a child, because I loved football, I loved to watch videos of his games on YouTube because he is a legend. I challenge myself every day to get close to his levels, but I want to write my own story and I don’t want to be stuck in his shadow. I respect him and what he achieved during his amazing career.
Szoboszlai flaunts his flair for fashion (left); the midfielder shows off one of many intricate tattoos (top)
Szoboszlai flaunts his flair for fashion (left); the midfielder shows off one of many intricate tattoos (top)
