Dominik Szoboszlai has discussed his first season at Liverpool and what could happen next after Jurgen Klopp leaves
Dominik Szoboszlai has declared the Liverpool squad are ready to embrace whoever succeeds Jurgen Klopp as manager in the summer.
Klopp will depart at the end of the season after almost nine years in charge with Sporting Lisbon boss Ruben Amorim the current favourite to replace him, although the Reds are yet to determine any favoured candidate.
Szoboszlai admits that while Klopp was a contributory factor in his decision to leave RB Leipzig for £60million last summer, he would have joined Liverpool regardless.
And the Hungary international said: “If Liverpool want to sign you, you’re not thinking about anything (else). But having Jurgen Klopp as the manager is an extra (lure), of course. He called me, we had a good talk before I signed and he said he wants me and I said I want to join you, so it’s a quick decision.
“This is football, this is how it works. He’s going to leave and have some break and enjoy his life. He’s done this (the Liverpool job) for a very long time. We don’t know who is coming next but we are ready – it doesn’t matter who is coming.”
Szoboszlai has enjoyed an encouraging debut campaign at Liverpool, scoring seven goals and contributing four assists in 36 games. He assumed the number eight shirt on his arrival, and has revealed he spoke with one of his predecessors in the jersey, Reds legend Steven Gerrard, shortly after signing.
“Macca (Alexis Mac Allister) signed before me and was the number 10,” said Szoboszlai. “I don’t really know which numbers were open but when they said the eight was open I said I didn’t want to listen to the other numbers, I said ‘yes I would like to take it’. They said ‘okay we will have a think about it’ because it’s a heavy number, and then they came back and said I could have the number eight.”
On speaking to Gerrard, Szoboszlai added: “(It was) not because I was taking his number. He just text me asking if there was anything he could help with in Liverpool or finding a house or whatever I need, then I can text him. The club has helped with everything, but if I would need anything then I would text him.”
Szoboszlai, speaking to Astro SuperSport of Malaysia, also explained he was content in his current position despite his Hungary national team boss Marco Rossi having long suggested he could eventually play a deeper role similar to former Italy international Andrea Pirlo.
“He always told me I could be the next Pirlo because he knows I didn’t like to play defensive midfield,” added the Liverpool man. “With the time now I’ve played here at Liverpool a little bit more defence, I probably like it maybe. As time goes on I have to think about it. But I don’t want to be the next Pirlo, of course he’s a great player and legend, but I want to do my own way.
“If it’s my choice, I stay like how it is now. I can attack and defend, I’m going to do both as long as I can. I will see if I lose my power a little bit when I get older and I will choose if I want to attack or defend more. Time will tell. I won’t think about it now. If the manager puts me a little bit in defence I’m going to play there, if he puts me a little bit in offence, I’m going to play there.”
