Liverpool star should be Player of the Year contender – and tipped to replace Virgil van Dijk as captain

Dominik Szoboszlai is having an outstanding season – he must be in the conversation for the PFA Player of the Year award.

That’s the view of ex-Liverpool winger Jermaine Pennant, who has insisted the Reds star deserves recognition for his heroic displays this term.

Szoboszlai has been a shining light in a challenging campaign for his team, who have struggled to replicate last year’s title-winning form.

While Arne Slot‘s side find themselves locked in a battle for Champions League qualification, they produced a stunning performance in the competition’s round of 16 in midweek.

The Reds came from 1-0 down in the tie to thrash Galatasaray 4-0 at Anfield, and set up a quarter-final clash with Paris Saint-Germain.

Szoboszlai was once again the driving force, who opened the scoring with a fine finish and was later named Player of the Match.

This saw him take his tally to 12 goals in all competitions this season, with only Hugo Ekitike ahead of him for the Reds, despite the Hungarian featuring in midfield and out of position at right-back across his 42 appearances.

‘Dragging us along’

Szoboszlai earned huge praise from ex-Liverpool man Pennant for his consistent, high-quality showings this term.

So much so, that he likened the 25-year-old’s all-action displays in the No.8 jersey to club icon Steven Gerrard, who became famed for single-handedly carrying the Reds for seasons on end.

Speaking on talkSPORT’s Inside Liverpool, Pennant gushed: “What he’s been doing, do you know what? He’s wearing that number eight jersey and he’s making everyone proud. 

“That’s like the number seven of Dalglish – the number eight for Steven Gerrard.

“And it was big boots to fill, but the way he’s conducting himself and the season that we’re having – he is dragging us along. 

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“He is chipping in with important goals, he’s covering every blade of grass and I think, at 25, he still hasn’t reached his twilight years yet, his prime. He probably will get better. 

“So for me, what I’m seeing, I love it. I think he’s a great guy, great attitude, and he loves the club and works hard every time he plays.”

Player of the year shouts

While Szoboszlai has earned plaudits for being Liverpool’s driving force in a difficult season, his performances haven’t quite translated when it comes to individual recognition.

With voting for the PFA Player of the Year award fast approaching, the Hungary star finds himself with less than favourable odds to clinch the individual prize.

Among the favourites for the award are Arsenal quartet Declan Rice, Martin Zubimendi, Gabriel Magalhaes and William Saliba.

Also boasting better odds are Manchester City goal machine Erling Haaland, as well as his teammate, January arrival Antoine Semenyo, and talismanic Manchester United star Bruno Fernandes

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However, the Inside Liverpool panel were surprised to see Manchester City duo Bernardo Silva and Jeremy Doku ahead of Szoboszlai in the bookmakers’ odds.

After being informed of the contenders by host and Liverpool megafan, Sam Ellard, Pennant tipped Fernandes to clinch top prize, but admitted he was stunned not to see Szoboszlai higher up.

Reacting, he said: “The fact that you haven’t mentioned Dominik Szoboszlai, I’m a little bit shocked. 

“I think what he’s doing week in, week out, what he’s doing for Liverpool, the goals he’s scoring, he should be [a contender], and this is not being biased in any way. 

Pennant added: “He should be named in the conversation with those players. I’m not saying he should win it or he’s better than what Bruno’s [Fernandes] doing. 

“But the players that you name, I think Dominik should all also be named as well as a contender.”

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‘Bernardo Silva over Szoboszlai?’

Naming the players he feels Szoboszlai should be ranked higher than, Pennant later said: “The fact that Doku is in there and Szoboszlai is not is a bit strange. 

“I think what people are basing this on is if the team’s doing well – this is an individual accolade. 

“So the team could be playing the worst football, but if you’ve got one player who every single week is putting in a top performance, then that is what it should be judged on, not how good the team is. 

“The players that you mentioned, the teams are up there doing well, fighting it out like Man City, Arsenal. But Doku, if you look over the season so far, I wouldn’t say he’s been a better player than Dominik Szoboszlai.

“Semenyo’s having a great great season, and he deserves to be in there, but again, Bernardo Silva over Dominik Szoboszlai?”

Captain material

Szoboszlai’s stunning individual performance against Galatasaray earned him praise from Liverpool great Gerrard, who tipped the Reds star to follow in his own footsteps and become club captain.

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Working as a pundit for TNT Sports, the legendary midfielder said: “I like his mentality. He’s evolved, and he’s grown a lot since he’s become a Liverpool player.

“We obviously signed a big talent. He’s in the prime years of his career. I think Liverpool are going to see the best of him.

“I hope he stays around for a long time because I think there’s a potential captain in there.”

And Gerrard’s thoughts were well and truly backed by the Inside Liverpool panel, with Ellard arguing that Szoboszlai is carrying his team in a similar way to their old No.8.

Ellard said: “In terms of being an all-action midfielder at times carrying this midfield, Steven’s up there.

“But what Dom is producing this season is freakish, and I think Stevie said it himself that [for the] next Liverpool captain, he’s there isn’t he?”