Steven Gerrard claims Liverpool player 'fell away' after blistering start

Liverpool has struggled collectively since the start of this season under Arne Slot, with Steven Gerrard offering his verdict on Dominik Szoboszlai and Hugo Ekitike

Liverpool legend Steven Gerrard.(Image: PETER POWELL / AFP via Getty Images)

Liverpool legend Steven Gerrard is a big fan of Dominik Szoboszlai, but he says another Reds man has run him close for Player of the Year this term.

Szoboszlai has been the most consistent player in a Liverpool jersey across the course of a campaign that has been well below par, but Hugo Ekitike has also impressed after arriving from Eintracht Frankfurt amid interest from a couple of other clubs in the Premier League.

"One hundred percent; [Szoboszlai has] certainly been Liverpool's most consistent player," Gerrard told talkSPORT. "But I think Ekitike was running close for a period of time.

"He seems to have fell away a little bit in his last couple of Liverpool performances, although he went away with France and did well, and I'm a big fan of him.

"But you'd have to say that in terms of in the run-up for player of the season, Szoboszlai, he's been amazing, he's been versatile, he's been exciting.

"I think he's added world-class strikes and free kicks to his game, and I think the future's really bright for him. I think he's only going to get better and better. So yeah, I've been really impressed with him."

Dominik Szoboszlai of Liverpool celebrates scoring his team's first goal with teammate Hugo Ekitike during the UEFA Champions League 2025/26 Round of 16 Second Leg match between Liverpool FC and Galatasaray(Image: Getty)

Last weekend, Liverpool really struggled against Manchester City, with Virgil van Dijk admitting afterward that the Reds gave up too easily after going a goal behind.

It was all the more unforgivable that Liverpool collapsed so spectacularly because it had begun the game well and been on top.

"They had their chances, which they never took, and I think we all know in the big games, you've got to take your chances when they come along," Gerrard said.

"Taking nothing away from City, they were outstanding over the course of the game, but it was really worrying and concerning the way Liverpool did crumble and also even more alarming what the players are saying after the game, in terms of saying there's no fight.

"We gave the game up, and it can't happen on the pitch, and it certainly can't be said off the pitch. So, worrying times, I must say."

Liverpool.com says: Szoboszlai and Ekitike have both been good this season. They have shown a real glimpse of what they can offer in the future. Florian Wirtz and others have too, in bits and pieces.

That makes it all the more strange that Liverpool has lost 15 games in all competitions and looked so meek at times. They are each individually capable of playing to a very high level and have shown it, but nowhere near consistently enough.