Amid all the frantic chaos surrounding the Moisés Caicedo transfer saga, the Premier League encounter between Liverpool and Chelsea has almost been forgotten about.
Already looking like a cagey affair, Caicedo will merely fuel the tensions, but one person in particular who is set to make his Premier League bow will relish that atmosphere in Dominik Szoboszlai.
The Hungarian is a confident character, and has often stepped up for club and country when needed. He is also a man for the big occasions and has always made his mark pretty quickly.
So far in pre-season, Szoboszlai has shown a lot of positives. In four games, the Reds have scored from free of his corners already, and he’s looked hungry and ready to press, fitting seamlessly into Jürgen Klopp’s style of football.
Now, given Liverpool’s midfield situation, it is likely that Szoboszlai will start the game at Stamford Bridge for Liverpool, and if he does, there are a lot of positive omens. The Hungarian will also be looking to continue a trend from his previous clubs.
Now, given Liverpool’s midfield situation, it is likely that Szoboszlai will start the game at Stamford Bridge for Liverpool, and if he does, there are a lot of positive omens. The Hungarian will also be looking to continue a trend from his previous clubs.
In his first start in the Bundesliga for RB Leipzig, Szoboszlai scored a sensational brace against VfB Stuttgart, making his mark immediately. Before that at Salzburg, he made a similar impression, scoring and registering an assist in just his second substitute appearance in the cup in 26 minutes, then scoring on his first start against Wiener Neustadt, also in the cup, before also scoring on his first start in the league against FC Wacker.
For the Hungarian national team, on Szoboszlai’s first start, he fought hard to secure a victory against then-World Cup runner-up Croatia back in 2019, going up against Ballon d’Or winner Luka Modrić. And then later, against Slovakia, when Szoboszlai played his first full 90 minutes for his country, the now Hungarian captain scored his first goal.
Chelsea will be a tough test, but in his previous first league starts back in Austria and Germany, Szoboszlai managed to score both times, and he will be looking to do the same at Stamford Bridge on his Premier League debut if his name is in the starting XI.
Away from all the Caicedo drama, it’s important to remember that, in Szoboszlai, Liverpool has signed a hugely exciting midfielder. Undoubtedly, more should be on the way by the end of the summer transfer window.
But for now, fans can look forward to his anticipated debut as the Hungarian looks to continue his impressive record. Expectations will be high for the season ahead, but with Szoboszlai having never hit fewer than 19 goal contributions in his previous six seasons, the signs are positive and he will back himself to continue his fine form in a red shirt.
He can begin with a goal to help Liverpool secure a big opening day result.
