Summer signing Dominik Szoboszlai on having the Steven Gerrard tattoo and not thinking about the Champions League before Liverpool move
Dominik Szoboszlai talked about having the Steven Gerrard tattoo and why he did not think about missing the Champions League football for this season before signing for Liverpool.
Liverpool paid the release clause in his RB Leipzig contract to sign the Hungary captain in the first week of July. He has played every pre-season game and looked decent with every passing minute.
Jurgen Klopp has predominantly played the 22-year-old on the right-hand side of the midfield, as a direct replacement for departed captain Jordan Henderson.
Here’s what Szoboszlai said about the tattoo featuring a quote from Gerrard – ‘God gives you talent but if you don’t work and sacrifice a lot it will mean nothing’, and a long-term vision involved in signing for Liverpool (h/t The Athletic, subscription required):
“(Cristiano) Ronaldo was my idol but I’d also watch games of Liverpool and other teams. Gerrard was one of the biggest players when I was growing up.
“Now to wear the No 8 is a pleasure and makes me feel proud. But I want to do it my own way.
“The manager is an emotional guy. He puts everything that he has into things and wants us to do the same. If we all do that, then we can reach for the highest honours.
“Of course, everybody wants to play in the Champions League, but I didn’t think about that when I heard Liverpool wanted to sign me. You have to work for it. I wasn’t thinking about the Champions League at all. All I want to do now is make sure we get back there — where we should be.”
There are two ways to become a legend of a football club. One is by coming when the team is at its peak and helping get over the line in big games. The second is joining them in a transition period and pushing them to get back to where they belong.
By reading what Szoboszlai said, he is in the latter camp for sure. He has discarded the possibility of playing Champions League for a season to help Liverpool in getting back there 12 months from now.
That sort of mentality shows us that the 22-year-old will love playing for the Reds and is determined to do all he can to make the club reach its potential in the coming months and years.
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There is also a small matter of the Hungary captain being an excellent player as well. He can add goals from midfield and work hard off the ball to help the team in the defensive transition. All in all, a great signing tactically and psychologically.
