Report: Liverpool’s new midfield star compared to club icon

Liverpool’s Hungarian sensation Dominik Szoboszlai has quickly made his mark at Anfield. But with fans constantly comparing him to Steven Gerrard, one of the club’s biggest legends, Szoboszlai is forging his own path. In an interview early in his Liverpool career, Szoboszlai dismissed the comparisons, saying: “I don’t want to be him. I want to be myself.” However, comparisons are inevitable. After all, both midfielders wore the number eight shirt, and there are many parallels in their playing styles.

In this blog, we’ll take a look at Szoboszlai’s first 50 games for Liverpool, comparing them to Steven Gerrard’s iconic start to his career. As reported by 90Min, the stats tell an intriguing story about the two players, but more importantly, they reveal how Szoboszlai is handling the pressure of playing for one of the most demanding football clubs in the world.

Long-range goals: Szoboszlai’s trademark

One of the immediate comparisons between Szoboszlai and Gerrard is their love of a shot from distance. Szoboszlai has made a habit of attempting long-range efforts, with two-thirds of his shots coming from outside the box. This audacity is reminiscent of Gerrard, who built a reputation for scoring stunning strikes. In his first 50 games, Szoboszlai had already found the net eight times, half of those goals being long-range efforts.

Comparing this to Gerrard’s first 50 games, the young Englishman had just two goals to his name, both from inside the box. But those who saw Gerrard in his early years knew something special was brewing. His goal against Sheffield Wednesday in 1999 remains etched in the memory of Liverpool fans, where his dazzling dribbling and finishing showed the raw talent that would make him a legend.

Szoboszlai’s technique may differ slightly, with more finesse than power, but like Gerrard, he has shown he is not afraid to take risks and influence games from deep positions.

Creative Game Making: The Power of Szoboszlai

When comparing assists, Szoboszlai outscores Gerrard at this stage of their respective careers. In just three months at Liverpool, Szoboszlai made two assists in one game, doubling Gerrard’s tally in the same period. His pinpoint long ball to Mohamed Salah during a 3–0 win against Nottingham Forest in October 2023 highlighted his exceptional vision and passing ability. The Hungarian’s style is also marked by his time in the Red Bull system, where an emphasis on direct and vertical play was ingrained in his approach.

However, Gerrard was no slouch in terms of playmaking ability, and as Michael Owen said in 2000, “I’ve been on the end of a lot of his passes over the last few years.” Gerrard’s fewer assists were often due to a lack of clinical finishing by his teammates rather than a lack of creativity.

For Szoboszlai, the transition to English football has been smooth and his ability to dictate play from midfield is clear. Even with just two assists in his debut season, the expected goals created (xG) indicate that Szoboszlai’s efforts were often let down by teammates who failed to convert.

Winning mindset: Szoboszlai’s ambition

Both Szoboszlai and Gerrard share a burning desire to win. When Szoboszlai arrived at Anfield, he boldly declared: “I want to win everything because nobody will ask you how it feels to be second.” His hunger for success is unmistakable, but his early career at Liverpool has seen him win just the Carabao Cup, a tournament that marked the final piece of silverware during Jurgen Klopp’s time in charge.

For Gerrard, the silverware took a little longer to come. His first 50 appearances did not bring any trophies, but his breakthrough season in 1999/00 saw him heralded as a future big. By 2001, Gerrard had captained Liverpool to a treble of domestic and European honours, setting the stage for a trophy-laden career.

Szoboszlai is still waiting for his big moments at Liverpool, but his first 50 games are testament to his ambition and talent. Fans can sense that there are more platforms on the horizon for the Hungarian, and with his skill set and mindset, he looks to be well on his way to delivering.

The unique identity of Szoboszlai

While comparisons to Gerrard are inevitable, Szoboszlai is keen to forge his own legacy at Liverpool. His physical attributes and technical skills are different from those of the former captain and, as Szoboszlai himself has pointed out, “I don’t want to be him”. However, the tattoos on Szoboszlai’s arm, one of which features a quote from Gerrard, show the respect he has for the legend and what he represents for the club.

There is no doubt that Szoboszlai is a unique player. His discipline is evident, with just three yellow cards in his first 50 games, highlighting his calm approach. Gerrard, on the other hand, was known for his aggressive attacking and fiery temper. Szoboszlai doesn’t need to copy that aspect of Gerrard’s game. Instead, he has focused on playing his way, using his exceptional vision, passing and long-range shots to become an integral part of the new Liverpool side under Arne Slot.

Our view: analysis of the EPL Anfield index

The arrival of Dominik Szoboszlai has given us a lot of excitement. Comparisons with Steven Gerrard were inevitable, but Szoboszlai has already shown he is his own player, with the technical ability and tactical intelligence to thrive in this new era under Arne Slot. Watching him pull the strings in midfield, it’s easy to see the similarities to Liverpool legends of the past, but Szoboszlai’s approach to being himself is refreshing.

Liverpool’s attacking play has been revitalized with Szoboszlai’s dynamism and creativity. His long range assists and goals have delighted the Anfield faithful, and there is a growing sense that this is just the beginning. With his composure on the ball, vision and desire to win, Szoboszlai is the perfect player to help Liverpool achieve even greater success in the coming years.

For many fans, the exciting thing about Szoboszlai is his potential. He’s already ahead of where Gerrard was at this stage, and if he keeps growing, there’s no telling what he can achieve. We are witnessing the rise of a new great Liverpool, and that is something every fan can get behind.