Steven Gerrard has singled out a current Liverpool midfielder, claiming the player reminds him of himself during his own playing days at Anfield.
For many Liverpool fans, Steven Gerrard is not just a legend he’s the legend. The boyhood Red who joined the club at the age of nine, captained the team to some of its greatest modern triumphs and made 710 appearances, is etched into Anfield folklore.
With a career defined by passion, leadership, and moments of pure magic, Gerrard is widely regarded as one of the greatest midfielders the Premier League has ever seen. Known for his thunderous long-range strikes, pinpoint passing, and relentless drive, Gerrard’s playing style has inspired a generation of footballers.
In an interview with TNT Sports, when asked directly who in the current squad he sees himself in, the 44-year-old didn’t hesitate to reply.
“Dominik Szoboszlai.”
A simple answer, but one that carries enormous weight.
Szoboszlai joined Liverpool from RB Leipzig in the summer of 2023 and quickly made an impression with his powerful running, technical ability, and eye for goal. Wearing the iconic number 8 shirt — the very same number Gerrard once wore — the Hungarian has been carving out his own legacy on Merseyside.
During the 2024–25 campaign, he played a pivotal role in Arne Slot’s system, forming an exciting partnership with Mohamed Salah, and contributing key goals and assists when it mattered most. His vision, technique, and long-range shooting have drawn comparisons to Gerrard before but to receive such praise directly from the man himself is the ultimate compliment.
Gerrard’s comments are not only an accolade but also a sign of how highly Szoboszlai is regarded within the Liverpool camp and among club legends. Being compared to one of the greatest midfielders in Premier League history is no small feat, especially for a player still settling into life at Anfield.
However, competition for a starting place is heating up. Liverpool’s acquisition of Florian Wirtz from Bayer Leverkusen this summer means that Szoboszlai will face even greater pressure to keep his spot in the team. Wirtz is another talented, attack-minded midfielder and his arrival adds further depth and dynamism to Slot’s squad.
Gerrard may now be watching from the sidelines following managerial stints with Rangers, Aston Villa, and Al-Ettifaq, but his influence remains ever-present at Anfield.
For Szoboszlai, being compared to a club icon isn’t just flattering — it’s a challenge and a responsibility.
With Steven Gerrard’s blessing, the 24-year-old’s Liverpool story is only just beginning and if he continues to emulate the qualities of the man who once wore the number 8, he might just carve out a legendary chapter of his own.
