Liverpool star throws Jamie Carragher criticism back at him as transfer reality clear

Jamie Carragher has been a vocal critic of Dominik Szoboszlai since the midfielder's move to Liverpool, but the Hungarian is throwing those doubts back in the former defender's face

Jamie Carragher's criticism has been thrown back in his face by a Liverpool player(Image: Getty Images)

We all have that one player, don’t we? The one who, despite all the evidence to the contrary, you simply can’t understand why they’re so highly rated.

For Jamie Carragher, that player seems to be Dominik Szoboszlai. Although the midfielder was widely praised for his role in Liverpool’s title win last season, the former defender instead made no secret that he couldn’t see what others were raving about.

“I’m not Dominik Szoboszlai’s biggest fan,” Carragher admitted this time last year. “But he’s got great athleticism. He gets talked about as Liverpool’s No. 10 and people say he’s great off the ball, but he’s a No. 10 and only scored three goals.”

That wasn’t the only time he made it clear he didn’t exactly rate the Hungarian. In fact, at one point, he was practically advocating for Morgan Gibbs-White to replace Szoboszlai - a player that could be in the Championship next season if Nottingham Forest isn't careful.

Carragher’s criticism of the Liverpool star always felt a little strange. After all, Szoboszlai was effectively setting the tone for Arne Slot’s title-winning side, with his boundless energy getting the Reds in the perfect position to dominate their opponents.

The main gripe seemed to stem from a perceived lack of end product. Yes, he wasn’t exactly at Steven Gerrard levels when it came to goals and assists, but when Mohamed Salah was dominating on both of those fronts, should it really have been as big an issue as Carragher was trying to make out?

Dominik Szoboszlai has hit back at Jamie Carragher emphatically(Image: Getty Images)

In any case, Szoboszlai has come up with the perfect response this season. In scoring against Brighton on Saturday, he notched up his tenth goal of the season - the first time he has reached double figures for the Reds.

In fact, when combined with his seven assists, he has already equaled his tally of 17 goal involvements from last season in 14 fewer games. Only Hugo Ekitike has scored more goals for Liverpool this season, which throws Carragher’s doubts straight back in his face.

It’s not just the goals or assists though. In what has been a disappointing campaign for the Reds, Szoboszlai has been the one consistent performer. There’s practically no doubt among supporters that he has been the player of the season so far, and it will take some effort from one of his teammates to topple him now.

And when you’ve got Salah claiming he’s one of the best players in the world right now, you know you’ve got a real gem on your hands - which makes the speculation over his future all the more concerning.

As always seems to be the case now, Real Madrid is being linked with his services. Given the level Szoboszlai is currently performing at, there are only a very select few clubs who could make a genuine case for taking him off Liverpool’s hands.

We know all too well about the pull that a move to the Bernabeu has for players. If someone who grew up wanting to captain his boyhood club can be persuaded to make the switch, then you can only imagine what interest from Real could do to a player who has apparently dreamed of a move there.

Liverpool has been in talks with Dominik Szoboszlai over a new contract(Image: Getty Images)

Liverpool obviously has a big priority when it comes to contracts at the moment, given Ibrahima Konate is just a few months away from becoming a free agent. A new deal for Szoboszlai though is becoming more and more urgent.

Talks have taken place, although by the player’s own admission, no progress has been made. With every passing game, his position in the negotiations is getting stronger and stronger, and Liverpool cannot let a player of his caliber run down his deal.

Even if Carragher isn’t convinced, he is firmly in the minority. Szoboszlai is Liverpool’s new talisman, and the club has to make sure it doesn't lose him.