The £60 million signing of Dominik Szoboszlai was Liverpool’s largest of the summer season and was greeted with loads of pleasure on Merseyside, however that was nothing in comparison with the fanfare it obtained again residence.
Hungary’s captain was one in all 4 midfield acquisitions by Jurgen Klopp forward of the 2023/24 marketing campaign, with the supervisor finishing up his biggest-ever rebuild in the midst of the park.
Szoboszlai wasn’t the topic of as a lot hypothesis as different targets, with the Reds transferring shortly to set off a launch clause in his contract shortly earlier than its expiry on the finish of June.
Having lately led his nation to qualification for Euro 2024, the 23-year-old has cemented his place as the present face of Hungarian soccer.
That is no extra evident than amongst supporters again in his residence nation, the place “Szoboszlai mania” has taken over, as coined by Hungarian soccer knowledgeable Bence Bocsak.
We spoke to Bence (@BenBocsak) in regards to the impression the transfer has had, his standing within the sport in Hungary and lots extra!
As Hungary captain, how was Szoboszlai’s transfer perceived again in his residence nation and has it impacted curiosity in Liverpool video games?
There was a lot pleasure. It was most likely the largest information story of the yr. Everybody was following it, it was Szoboszlai mania really. Even your grandma was speaking about it!
After all, each recreation is broadcast on tv. Everyone seems to be watching the Liverpool video games now.
Most Hungarians have turn out to be Liverpool followers to some extent due to him. It was the identical at Leipzig – though we now have two extra worldwide gamers there.
He made a superb begin to life at Anfield, how vital do you assume he may be in Jurgen Klopp’s midfield?
I believe he makes issues tick together with his urgent off the ball. However I additionally assume there’s much more to return from him by way of his potential on the ball.
We’ve seen his taking pictures vary in flashes and his creativity as properly, however there might be much more to return.
When it comes to what he can obtain within the subsequent 5 years, the reply could be all the pieces!
The sky is the restrict for him – each for membership and nation.
Nonetheless solely 23, the place does he rank among the many greatest Hungarian gamers of current years?
He’s one of the best by an extended mile. One of the best most likely because the Eighties when Lajos Detari was enjoying. Or possibly even earlier than that – going again to the likes of Florian Albert who gained a Ballon d’Or.
He’s been a frontrunner from a younger age.
At the same time as a 16-year-old he was sporting the armband at U17 stage for the nationwide workforce and scored a last-minute winner to qualify Hungary for the U17 Euros towards Erling Haaland’s Norway.
Since then, he’s at all times needed to step up and he’s carried out it in each single workforce. He leads by instance on the pitch, and he’s an inspiration to many.
I bear in mind talking to some of his worldwide team-mates and so they have been telling me simply how a lot confidence he offers all of them when he’s on the pitch.
Lastly, how rather more of a hero has he turn out to be since serving to safe Euro 2024 qualification?
He was already a hero earlier than that!
He’s already certified us for Euro 2020. I’d say that achievement and his last-minute aim towards Iceland within the final play-off again in 2020 was the second that made him a hero.
Now we simply count on him to do particular stuff so this time round it wasn’t something new.
• Thanks once more to Bence Bocsak for his perception. Observe Bence on Twitter @BenBocsak.
