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Dominik Szoboszlai vs. Steven Gerrard: Liverpool’s Midfield Star in the Making

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 greatest legends, Szoboszlai is carving his own path. In an interview early in his Liverpool career, Szoboszlai shrugged off the comparisons, stating, “I don’t want to be him. I want to be myself.” Yet, the comparisons are inevitable. After all, both midfielders donned the number eight shirt, and there are plenty of parallels in their playing styles.

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

Long-Range Goals: Szoboszlai’s Trademark

One of the immediate comparisons between Szoboszlai and Gerrard is their love for 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 boldness is reminiscent of Gerrard, who built a reputation for scoring stunning strikes. By his first 50 games, Szoboszlai had already found the net eight times, with half of those goals being long-range efforts.

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

Szoboszlai’s technique may differ slightly, with more finesse than power, but like Gerrard, he’s shown that he’s unafraid to take risks and influence games from deep positions.

Creative Playmaking: Szoboszlai’s Strength

When comparing assists, Szoboszlai outshines Gerrard at this stage of their respective careers. In just three months at Liverpool, Szoboszlai notched two assists in one game, doubling Gerrard’s tally over 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 shaped by his time in the Red Bull system, where an emphasis on direct and vertical play was ingrained into his approach.

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However, Gerrard wasn’t far behind 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.” The fact that Gerrard registered fewer assists was often due to a lack of clinical finishing from his teammates rather than any lack of creativity.

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

Winning Mentality: 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 is going to ask you how it feels to be second.” His hunger for success is unmistakable, but his early Liverpool career has seen him win only the Carabao Cup, a tournament that marked the final piece of silverware during Jurgen Klopp’s time at the helm.

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

Szoboszlai may still be waiting for his major moments at Liverpool, but his first 50 games are a testament to his ambition and talent. Fans can sense that more silverware is just on the horizon for the Hungarian, and with his skill set and mentality, he looks well on course to deliver.

Szoboszlai’s Unique Identity

While the comparisons to Gerrard are inevitable, Szoboszlai is eager 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.” Yet, 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 to the club.

There’s 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, in contrast, was known for his aggressive tackling and fiery temperament. Szoboszlai doesn’t need to copy that aspect of Gerrard’s game. Instead, he’s focused on playing his way, using his exceptional vision, passing, and long-range shooting to become an integral part of the new Liverpool under Arne Slot.

Our View – EPL Anfield Index Analysis

The arrival of Dominik Szoboszlai has given us plenty to be excited about. Comparisons to Steven Gerrard were inevitable, but Szoboszlai has already shown he’s 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 focus on being himself is refreshing.

Liverpool’s attacking play has been reinvigorated with Szoboszlai’s dynamism and creativity. His assists and long-range goals have delighted the Anfield faithful, and there’s a growing sense that this is just the beginning. With his calmness on the ball, vision, and hunger 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 continues to grow, there’s no telling what he can achieve. We’re witnessing the rise of a new Liverpool great, and that’s something every fan can get behind.