‘Give him what he wants’ – Liverpool told the ‘special player’ who should be their priority in summer transfer window

Liverpool have been told to prioritise Dominik Szoboszlai’s contract extension before conducting any summer transfer business.

The Hungarian midfielder, who has ten goals across all competitions this season, has undoubtedly been the Reds’ standout star this term.

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And his heroics have been perfectly timed amid the below-par campaigns delivered by stars including Mohamed Salah and Alexis Mac Allister, while Alexander Isak’s first season at Anfield has been a largely forgettable one with the record signing struggling for fitness.

Szoboszlai, who joined Liverpool from RB Leipzig in 2023, has a little over two years remaining on his contract.

Liverpool fans may understandably feel uncomfortable with the 25-year-old’s current contract status.

Club chiefs have hardly covered themselves in glory in recent years with Salah and Virgil van Dijk contract’s going the full distance before both players penned last-gasp deals.

However, the outcome wasn’t as favourable in the case of Trent Alexander-Arnold who was allowed to run down his contract before completing a free transfer to Real Madrid last summer.

According to reports in Spain, the 15-time European Cup winners are keeping tabs on the Hungary captain to add further fuel to the fire.

However, that notion was shot down this week by the star’s representative Matyas Esterhazy, who claimed that Szoboszlai is ‘not looking elsewhere’.

Starting point

On the latest episode of talkSPORT’s Inside Liverpool show, the panel discussed Szoboszlai’s contractual situation and where the club’s summer priorities should lie.

“This summer before we do anything about signing new players, selling players, I don’t care, just get Dominic Szoboszlai and his agent in a room and give him what he wants,” began host Sam Ellard.

“He’s got two years left on his deal in the summer, it expires in 2028 – let’s not get to this time next year when he’s got a year left on his deal and you start panicking.

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“Get it done this summer. It should be the club’s No.1 priority in the summer.”

Ellard’s sentiment was similarly felt by former Reds winger Jermaine Pennant, who believes the club should be looking to build the team around the Hungarian.

“Yeah, I’m over our key players getting to a year or six months left on their contract, I’m over that now,” he said.

“We need to start addressing that moving forward if we want to keep the core and base of our team and build on that – making sure Szoboszlai’s future is secure is part of that.

“We need to keep players like Dominik and make sure they cannot get poached by Real Madrid, who love to do it. Give them a contract so they’re secure, so we can say to clubs like Real Madrid, ‘If you want one of our players, you’ve got to pay over the odds, the big bucks’.

“As a business it would make sense, too, so give him a new contract at the end of the season so we can be in a safe place with him, and keep him as long as possible.”

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Comparisons with Steven Gerrard

Pennant went on to heap further praise on the midfielder, claiming he is the closest player Liverpool have had to legendary captain Steven Gerrard.

The comparisons between the two have been rife since Szoboszlai’s arrival at Anfield, taking Gerrard’s former No.8 shirt.

“Season by season, he’s just getting better and better and better. This is obviously his best season since he’s been at Liverpool,” Pennant added.

“If we’re talking about some of the great midfielders Liverpool have had and graced the turf of Anfield, he’s the closest thing to Steven Gerrard we’ve had in a long time.

“We’ve had some great captains, Jordan Henderson won great things with Liverpool, but I think he (Szoboszlai) is the closest thing (to Gerrard).

“He’s got a bit of everything. He can spray (a pass), but the way he strikes a ball, he’s Steven Gerrard-esque slash (Xabi) Alonso.

“His work rate is Steven Gerrard-esque. He likes to tackle here and there as well. His ability on the ball is fantastic.

“He is the complete midfielder. He’s scoring goals, assisting goals and his work rate is fantastic. Slot loves his athleticism and at the moment he’s the heartbeat of that Liverpool team.”

Former champion boxer and Anfield season ticket holder Paul Smith weighed in on the debate and while impressed with the Hungarian’s output, Smith believes there is one key element missing from his skillset when comparing him with Gerrard.

“We see so many players being compared to Stevie Gerrard. I used to see similarities in Fabinho, the way he used to run, the way he used to hold himself, he was a similar size frame to Gerrard, he was tall and slim but very strong and he loved a tackle,” Smith said.

“I think that’s that only thing lacking when you’re comparing Szoboszlai to Gerrard – the tackling and getting stuck in.

“Obviously Szoboszlai is strong in other areas himself, but it’s difficult when you’re comparing anyone with Gerrard.

“Gerrard was special and Szoboszlai is showing unbelievable potential to be a special player too – and he’s still only 25! There’s still plenty of time to go.

“Hopefully he can win many trophies for Liverpool – that’s all we want as fans.”

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