- Dominik Szoboszlai has been a standout performer for Liverpool this season
- The Hungary international’s influence is evident across the club
- An academy talent has revealed he is modelling his game on the No. 8
This Liverpool starlet, who grew up practising shooting in his garden, has named Dominik Szoboszlai as his idol.
Szoboszlai has been a shining light in what has otherwise been a disappointing season for the Reds, bagging 12 goals and nine assists in 49 appearances across all competitions.
With several others, including Mohamed Salah and Florian Wirtz, falling short, the 25-year-old is the leading contender to be named Liverpool’s Player of the Season.
He is also likely to be in contention to become the Anfield outfit’s next vice-captain when Andy Robertson departs at the end of the season.
Despite having only been at the club for three years, Szoboszlai’s influence extends beyond the first team, with players across different age groups already looking up to him.
Oliver O’Connor wants to emulate Szoboszlai
Oliver O’Connor has been on the Merseyside-based club’s books since the age of five, progressing through the ranks to become a regular in Simon Wiles’ side this season.
The Scouser is described as an all-action midfielder with an eye for the spectacular, and it should come as no surprise who his idol is.
Speaking to the club’s in-house media (28 April), he said: “I just like the way he [Szoboszlai] plays and the way he is on the pitch as well. I feel like he suits my game the most – it’s the way I play. The way he impacts the team off the ball, I feel like that’s the thing I want to do as well, the way I want to play.”
Therefore, it is no coincidence that the 17-year-old shares similarities with the Liverpool ace, explaining his desire to make an impact on either end of the pitch.
O’Connor also looked back at his childhood, revealing how he used to practice his shooting technique in his garden.
He said, “I enjoy attacking. I’m more of an attacking player who can create chances, wants to score, wants to change the game. I feel like I’ve got a good strike on me, to be fair. I do score the odd goal.
“When I was younger, I always used to practise shooting. I had a goal in my garden and I just used to shoot at the goal all day.”
Liverpool have a top player on their hands
Szoboszlai’s combination of pressing intensity, technical quality and ability to arrive late into the box to devastating effects makes him one of the most complete midfielders in the Premier League.
Therefore, he is a natural blueprint for any aspiring midfielder to follow.
As for O’Connor, his mentality has already been put to the test this season, with injuries in the squad seeing him deployed at right-back.
Despite it being outside of his comfort zone, the teenager has taken the challenge head on.
For a boyhood Red, who describes his journey so far as a dream come true, O’Connor’s attitude suggests Liverpool have a top player on their hands, who is mentally strong as well as technically gifted.
