Liverpool's $76 million new signing wears Gerrard's old shirt number

$76 million midfielder Dominik Szoboszlai chose the number 8 shirt at Liverpool because he had a tattoo on his arm of a quote from former captain Steven Gerrard.

On July 2, Liverpool announced that they had signed Szoboszlai from RB Leipzig, and the 23-year-old midfielder chose the number 8 shirt. Explaining why he chose this shirt number, the Hungarian midfielder said that he once had a tattoo on his arm about Gerrard, saying: "Talent is a divine blessing, but without incredible will and humility, it is worth nothing."

Szoboszlai signed for Liverpool and made his debut for the club on July 2. Photo: LFC — Szoboszlai signed for Liverpool and made his debut for the club on July 2. Photo: *LFC*

Gerrard played for Liverpool from 1998-2015, helping them win the Champions League in 2005. He also holds the record for being named in the Premier League Team of the Year eight times, despite never winning the title. Szoboszlai, like Gerrard, plays as a central midfielder or an attacking midfielder.

Szoboszlai has signed a five-year contract with Liverpool, making him the team's second signing of the summer of 2022 after Alexis Mac Allister. Liverpool paid the player's $76 million release clause to Leipzig on June 30, just hours before the clause was due to expire.

According to coach Jurgen Klopp, Liverpool have been interested in Szoboszlai since meeting Salzburg in the Champions League at the end of 2019. At that time, this midfielder was only 19 years old, playing alongside Erling Haaland and former Liverpool player Takumi Minamino. "Szoboszlai is still very young so there will be no pressure here," said the German coach. "He can still improve and our task is to be patient and give Szoboszlai time to show himself."

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Klopp also said that Szoboszlai had a good footballeducation , having always played for Red Bull clubs, from Liefering, Salzburg to Leipzig. "It is our responsibility to continue to educate him to become a member of the Liverpool family," he stressed. "This contract represents the future of the team, and I could not be more pleased."

Hoang An

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