Dominik Szoboszlai behavior leaves Liverpool fearing Trent Alexander-Arnold repeat

Dominik Szoboszlai has been one of Liverpool's standout performers this season, but concerns over the midfielder's future have emerged following Real Madrid links

Dominik Szoboszlai has sparked concerns about his Liverpool future(Image: Getty Images)

Liverpool star Dominik Szoboszlai is experiencing his finest campaign yet for the club since his arrival from RB Leipzig in 2023.

The midfielder has been among Arne Slot's most reliable performers this term, featuring in midfield and at right-back. Szoboszlai has been involved in 18 goals across 38 appearances in all competitions. However, with the Reds' unsuccessful bid to defend their Premier League crown and difficulties throughout the campaign, some questions regarding the 25-year-old's future have surfaced.

Real Madrid has been associated with the Hungarian since his switch to Liverpool, though its reported interest has never gained momentum. Nevertheless, Szoboszlai's national team manager, Marco Rossi, has suggested that the midfielder has always aspired to represent the Spanish team.

"Szoboszlai always had one dream: to play for Real Madrid," Rossi told Spanish news outlet Marca. "I don't know if he'll be able to take that step, because the decision depends on him and also on his club."

The midfielder's representative has subsequently dismissed speculation of interest in a transfer to Madrid this summer, maintaining Szoboszlai is not seeking a departure from Liverpool.

"It's completely normal for the public, when Dominik is performing like this, to talk about what's next and if there's something higher," Matyas Esterhazy told Hungarian outlet NB1. "For us, it's not a topic.

Trent Alexander-Arnold ran down his contract to force a move to Real Madrid(Image: Getty Images)

"We are mid-season; he has a lot of work ahead of him in the Premier League, the FA Cup and the Champions League. He has said many times how important this competition is for him. So, at the moment, to talk about what will happen in the summer, in my opinion, is not correct.

"Not to mention, Liverpool are one of the biggest clubs in the world and Dominik is in a position within the team that has a lot of reserve, so we are not looking outside or elsewhere."

Therefore, the Liverpool midfielder has no intention of relocating to Madrid at present. Nevertheless, anxiety among the Anfield faithful has intensified this week after Szoboszlai engaged with a social media post referencing Rossi's remarks and a possible switch to Spain.

The Instagram account "433," boasting 77.5 million followers, shared an AI-generated image depicting Vinicius Junior passing a pair of boots to Szoboszlai. The post featured the midfielder's own image of his boots, in which he tagged the Real Madrid forward, alongside a picture of Szoboszlai mimicking Vinicius' pistol celebration.

Part of the post's caption read: "Marco Rossi recently said Real Madrid has always been Szoboszlai's dream club. Maybe one day we'll see this bromance on the same team."

Szoboszlai was among the 650,000-plus users who liked the upload, prompting speculation from certain fans that he harbours ambitions of linking up with Vinicius at the Bernabeu. Regrettably, the circumstances bear an uncomfortable resemblance to Trent Alexander-Arnold's predicament before his departure to Madrid.

The full-back quit Liverpool for Real Madrid during the summer, following months of conjecture and ambiguity surrounding his Anfield future. Alexander-Arnold's exit from his boyhood team provoked a divided response amongst supporters, partly attributed to certain activity on his social media accounts.

For the time being, Szoboszlai's conduct at Liverpool and statements from his representative should help contain any concerns regarding his long-term plans. While just two years remain on his existing agreement, reports suggest discussions have commenced regarding an enhanced new deal.