{"id":287972,"date":"2023-08-27T00:36:52","date_gmt":"2023-08-27T00:36:52","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/sportslifetale.com\/?p=287972"},"modified":"2023-08-27T00:36:52","modified_gmt":"2023-08-27T00:36:52","slug":"dominik-szoboszlai-predicts-liverpool-will-finish-above-man-city","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/sportslifetale.com\/soccer\/dominik-szoboszlai-predicts-liverpool-will-finish-above-man-city\/","title":{"rendered":"Dominik Szoboszlai predicts Liverpool will finish ABOVE Man City"},"content":{"rendered":"
Liverpool’s new \u00a360million signing Dominik Szoboszlai doesn\u2019t lack confidence \u2013 predicting his mates at Manchester City Erling Haaland and Josko Gvardiol will finish below him this season.<\/p>\n
Szoboszlai, who has started well at Anfield, struck up a close friendship with Haaland at RB Salzburg and last season played with City\u2019s \u00a377million defender Gvardiol and Chelsea\u2019s Christopher Nkunku at Leipzig.<\/p>\n
The busy schedule has so far prevented \u201cSzobo\u201d as he\u2019s known in the Liverpool dressing-room from visiting his near-neighbour Haaland but he has a clear message when asked which of the group will finish highest in the Premier League.<\/p>\n
\u2018Us\u2019 says the Hungarian international without hesitation. \u2018It\u2019s not a joke, I am thinking it. I always think that way even if it is hard.<\/p>\n
\u2018There are very good teams in the league but we are also. We have a very good coach and players. I am the type that wants to be first. I want to win everything because nobody is going to ask you how it feels to be second.<\/p>\n
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Dominik Szoboszlai believes that Liverpool will finish ahead of his former teammates from RB Leipzig<\/p>\n
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Szoboszlai played with Haaland at Red Bull Salzburg and Josko Gvardiol at RB Leipzig<\/p>\n
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The midfielder believes that Liverpool have what it takes to challenge at the top of the league<\/p>\n
\u2018Clubs like City will believe they are going to win, and we are thinking the same.\u2019<\/p>\n
It\u2019s rare for a young player to be so openly ambitious but Liverpool fans will love the swagger. After losing five midfielders in the window, and uncertainty over the future of Mo Salah, Szoboszlai has been a breath of fresh air.<\/p>\n
The creative 22-year-old helped set up two goals against Bournemouth last weekend but faces an even tougher challenge at Champions League rivals Newcastle today.<\/p>\n
Coached by his Dad, a former professional player, and then developed at what he calls the \u201cRed Bull family\u201d all the way to Champions League level, Szoboszlai was on holiday with friends in Croatia when Jurgen Klopp made his move.<\/p>\n
\u2018My agent rang and said \u201cOK, you have to stop enjoying and take care of yourself! You have to leave.\u2019<\/p>\n
In Salzburg and Leipzig, he learned to press \u2013 music to Klopp\u2019s ears. It means he is capable of unlocking defences as a No10 but also has the work-rate to play deeper.<\/p>\n
England players already know about him. Twice, Szoboszlai has appeared on the winning side for Hungary against the Three Lions, scoring the winning penalty in Budapest in last year\u2019s Nations League.<\/p>\n
There will be healthy rivalry with his former team-mates Gvardiol, Nkunku and Haaland now in England. \u2018Of course they are my friends but for the 90 minutes we play against each other, they will not be,\u2019 he says.<\/p>\n
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The Reds have started the season with a draw and a win against Chelsea and Bournemouth<\/p>\n
\u2018Erling scored 52 goals last season. I knew he could do that because I\u2019d seen his quality. He is probably going to continue like that, but I am looking out for myself and my team.<\/p>\n
\u2018When I speak with Erling, it\u2019s usually about everyday stuff, not football. We know each other\u2019s families. He is two houses next to me but it\u2019s going to take time to find a solution to see each other! We have training, we have away matches, and he has been to Greece (for the European Super Cup).<\/p>\n
\u2018I won\u2019t care when we compete that he\u2019s a really good friend. He won\u2019t care either. I am out to help myself and my team-mates. If I score a last-minute goal, I am even happier.\u2019<\/p>\n
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Szoboszlai doesn\u2019t lack confidence \u2013 predicting his mates at Manchester City Erling Haaland and Josko Gvardiol will finish below him this season<\/p>\n
Your browser does not support iframes.<\/p>\n
Szoboszlai wears the red No8 made famous by Steven Gerrard. He even has a tattoo that reads \u201cTalent is a blessing\u201d – a quote credited to the legendary former Liverpool captain.<\/p>\n
He is optimistic the revamped Liverpool midifield. \u2018 I am new, Macca (Alexis Mac Allister) is new, Endo is new. But we understand each other really good even after a few training sessions,\u2019 he says.<\/p>\n
\u2018I\u2019ve only been here six weeks and first of all I have to establish myself in the team, but of course I have to be a leader on the pitch when I am there.<\/p>\n
\u2018The manager said when I signed that players had gone (Milner, Keita, Firmino, Oxlade-Chamberlain) and that was even before Hendo (Jordan Henderson) and Fabinho also left.<\/p>\n
\u2018We talked about his plan. He wanted me to join and work with me and it was the same on my side, to do everything for the club. The move came about really quickly, in two or three days.\u2019<\/p>\n
Liverpool will be glad to have Mac Allister available to line up with Szoboszlai. The Argentine was shown a red card in the 3-1 win against Bournemouth but it was overturned on appeal.<\/p>\n
It’s All Kicking Off is an exciting new podcast from Mail Sport that promises a different take on Premier League football.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n It is available on MailOnline, Mail+, YouTube, Apple Music and Spotify.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n Your browser does not support iframes.<\/p>\n