Jurgen Klopp says he was persuaded to sign Dominik Szoboszlai after studying video footage of the Hungary captain, as the Liverpool manager praised the versatile midfielder.
The Reds worked rapidly to secure a deal this summer, initiating preliminary conversations with the player’s EM Sports representation less than a week before triggering a £60 million release clause at RB Leipzig on the club’s final day of existence on June 30.
With his all-action displays, Szoboszlai has quickly established himself as a fan favorite on Merseyside. He has two goals for his new team, including a thunderbolt shot in Wednesday’s 3-1 Carabao Cup triumph over Leicester City.
Klopp said that he did not watch much Leipzig in the Bundesliga last season, but claimed that video analysis meetings convinced him that Hungary captain Szoboszlai was the right addition to his new midfield.
“Did the signing go unnoticed? “I don’t recall hearing many stories about Macca (Alexis MacAllister) before we signed him, to be honest; we were pretty clear about the players we wanted,” Klopp remarked. “The departures of Henderson and Fabinho were unexpected at the time, but that does not mean we were not looking for these positions.” He had nothing to do with Hendo and Fab’s departure.
“He’s fantastic. I don’t believe he played the position he now plays for us at Leipzig. He has played on the flank, as a No.10, more inside, as a No.8, a No.6, and a double six, so it will be fascinating to see how quickly he adjusts and improves. That’s fantastic. We still have a lot to learn.
“It’s now obvious that he has incredible shooting ability, but it wasn’t that I watched the Bundesliga every week, each Leipzig game, I saw clips, and we played them when he was at Salzburg.”
“But it’s not that you look too hard, but it’s clear we were looking for a No.8 and his name came up, and watching the videos, it was pretty impressive, super impressive.”
“He took on a different role there.” They use a 4-2-2-2 offensive line, so we begin to study. I don’t think he expected to be engaged in so much build-up and deeper areas, but he is fantastic on the ball, which is why we tried it. He can still play both wings and enjoys football; he is a natural, which is fantastic for us.
“He connects really well with the others, which is nice, and now with the two goals he scored and the way he plays, I completely understand why he makes headlines, but he is a true team player in the dressing room.” He has the capacity to shine, without a doubt, but he enjoys being with this group just as much.”