While at RB Salzburg, Dominik Szoboszlai played with Japan’s Takumi Minamino and Norway’s Erling Haaland. His talent was recognized from a young age, and his development did not stop when he stepped up to RB Leipzig, where he rose to the position of captain of the Hungarian national team.
This summer, he is challenging on an even bigger stage after securing a move to Liverpool. In the Premier League opener against Chelsea, he showed glimpses of his ability despite being pushed around, and in the second game against Bournemouth, he was named Man of the Match for his dynamic performance in both attack and defense.
The Hungarian midfielder, who scored his second penalty of the match, was in his element after Alexis Mc Allister was sent off for an inexplicable red card.
Playing in a 4-4-1 midfield with Wataru Endo, he showed his technique and sprinting ability to create chances despite being outnumbered, and he also showed his precise positioning in the defensive end.
Everyone knows that he is essentially a more attacking player at “No. 8” and likes to be involved in scoring and assisting.
Hungarian national team coach Marco Rossi acknowledged this fact and said that he feels similar to former Italian midfielder Andrea Pirlo, who in the past had historic performances at the bottom of midfield for AC Milan and other clubs.
“I know he said that he doesn’t like too much to play in this position, but I really think that in the future he could be a fantastic number six,”
“He has all the skills to be in this position, like (Andrea) Pirlo was, just to give an example. I think Pirlo was the best in this position in the last 15 years, and Dominik has really good skills to play in this position.”
Although he is only 22 years old and should be a force up front for almost a decade to come, many players have lost their positions as their athletic ability declined. The player’s admirer, Steven Gerrard, also played as an anchor man towards the end of his career, building his game from the back of midfield.
It is unlikely that we will see him playing in the “No. 6” position as the Hungarian national team has been pushing for, but depending on the time and timing, we may see Szoboszlai playing at the bottom of the midfield.