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Former Liverpool goalkeeper Adam Bogdan has said his fellow countryman Dominik Szoboszlai is on “another level” to the rest of the players in the current Hungary side and claimed he is becoming the nation’s biggest superstar since Ferenc Puskas.
That’s high praise indeed given Puskas is widely regarded as one of soccer’s greatest-ever players. While Szoboszlai isn’t quite in that territory, the midfielder has enjoyed an exceptional start to the season.
He was nominated for the Premier League Player of the Month award, put in two outstanding displays as a makeshift right-back against Newcastle United and Arsenal, and netted an audacious free-kick in the recent win over the Gunners.
Bodgan, who made six appearances during a largely forgettable spell at Anfield and witnessed Szoboszlai’s first steps with the Hungarian national team, said Liverpool’s No. 8 has emerged as a national hero in recent years.
“It was my childhood dream to play in the Premier League, I did everything for it, but in my time not all young footballers were like that,” the ex-goalkeeper told Nemzeti Sport.
“But now every kid wears Dominik Szoboszlai's jersey with his name on the back. I only had a short time with Dominik in the national team and it's a great feeling to see what he's achieved.
“He's on a different level than the others in the national team, he could create magic in practically any position.
“Dominik is slowly becoming one of the superstars of world football, which has perhaps not been the case in Hungary since Ferenc Puskas.”
Bogdan even feels that Szoboszlai’s enhanced status has helped convince Liverpool to sign fellow Hungarians in this summer’s transfer window.
“Dominik is a great story for us, and he also pulled other Hungarian players to Liverpool, as the club also acquired Milos Kerkez and Armin Pecsi in the summer,” opined the 37-year-old.
“It's great to see Dominik playing for the best team in the world, and in doing so, he builds trust in Hungarian footballers.”
Despite Bogdan’s lofty praise, Szoboszlai’s position in Arne Slot’s Liverpool side looks less guaranteed than it was last season. The arrival of Florain Wirtz has resulted in the former RB Leipzig star dropping into a deeper midfield role, while Ryan Gravenberch and Alexis Mac Allister remain Slot’s preferred pairing in the middle.
Szoboszlai’s versatility, work rate, and broad range of skills mean he is still a valued asset to Slot, even if there is no natural place for him in the starting line-up.
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