In an interview with the ECHO, Danny Murphy discussed Dominik Szoboszlai’s early years at Liverpool.
Dominik Szoboszlai’s influence at Anfield has left former Liverpool midfielder Danny Murphy speechless, and the Hungarian has been compared to a young Steven Gerrard by Murphy.
Szoboszlai made his Liverpool debut during the 1-1 draw between Chelsea and Liverpool at Stamford Bridge earlier this month. On Saturday, he made his Anfield debut as Liverpool overcame a 1-1 halftime deficit to defeat Bournemouth 3-1.
After Antoine Semenyo scored at the Kop end less than three minutes into the game, the Hungarian played a crucial role in the Reds’ comeback triumph. Szboszlai gave Mohamed Salah the chance to score the Reds’ first goal from the penalty spot as he was fouled by Bournemouth midfielder Joe Rothwell just after Luis Diaz had leveled the score with an impressive strike.
Szoboszlai’s Anfield exploits didn’t end there, either. Liverpool’s new No. 8 continued to exert pressure on Bournemouth even after Alexis Mac Allister was dismissed for a later-overturned challenge on Ryan Christie. His thunderbolt proved too strong for Neto to handle, allowing Diogo Jota to follow up from close range.
Now, following just two appearances for the Reds,Murphy admits he has been left gobsmacked by Szoboszlai, who he insists reminds him of a young Steven Gerrard when he saw his breakthrough to Gerard Houllier’s first team in 1998.
To be quite honest with you, I’ve been simply astounded by how terrific he is, remarked Murphy. So I looked over his parts and did a little research on him, attempting to learn as much as I could online.
“You know how you don’t see a lot of the defensive work and the industry; instead, you see a lot of the excellent online, like shoots and goals and talents, and you never take it entirely for real.
The “highlight reels” and “bits” you can uncover fool you into believing everything is okay. I therefore wondered where he would place him, how he would play, and whether he would use the three.
By examining these various pieces, we’re attempting to arrive at these conclusions. I therefore worked on the Chelsea-Liverpool game and then, since I got to watch all the football, I also watched the Liverpool-Bournemouth game for work. I’m astonished beyond belief by him.
When Liverpool visits St. James’ Park on Sunday afternoon to play Newcastle United, Szoboszlai is expected to get the start. The 22-year-old is scheduled to start alongside Mac Allister, and Wataru Endo, the Reds’ newest midfield addition from the summer, is predicted to get his first start.
When asked what Szoboszlai will bring to the table this weekend in the North East, Murphy responded, “He’s elegant, yet a powerhouse at the same time. He is physically appealing.
It’s that capacity to move past and through people, but also that lovely elegance of understanding where people are and making small, subtle gestures. He reminded me of Stevie G, however I’m not suggesting he is Stevie G. He reminded me of him in the way he moves and the way he flies past people.
“I don’t know if I’ve ever had someone come into a squad and make as great an impact as he had in the first two games. He’s got a bit to go before he can reach to Gerrard’s levels. He not only suffocated them for the opening 30 minutes of Chelsea, but his athleticism was the primary factor in their ability to press.