Following a 1-1 draw with Chelsea the previous weekend, Liverpool won 3-1 against Bournemouth in front of their home crowd at Anfield on Saturday. This was the Reds’ first Premier League victory of 2023–24.
The Reds were behind after just three minutes, but Luis Diaz pulled them level 24 minutes later, and nine minutes before halftime, Mohamed Salah scored on a rebound to put them in front. He then converted a penalty to give them the lead.
Two minutes after the hour mark, Diogo Jota put the Cherries out of the game. While the Liverpool front three scored, their midfield put up an amazing effort, with Dominik Szoboszlai in charge of the game the entire time.
Alexis MacAllister’s straight red card in the 58th minute reduced the Reds to ten men, but the hosts were still in control because of their £60 million summer acquisition.
The Hungarian midfielder’s performance caught the attention of BBC pundit Garth Crooks, who believes he needs to improve if he wants to emulate the greats who have worn the number 8 jersey before him.
He declared in his Team of the Week editorial, “He can surely play.
“Liverpool’s newest addition Szoboszlai looked like he wanted to be involved in the play all the time against Bournemouth and had all the skills a good player should have.
Well, someone at Anfield had better tell him what that means and who has worn that shirt before him if he’s going to wear Liverpool’s number eight shirt.
“Sammy Lee, Brian Hall, Jimmy Case, and Steven Gerrard, who made the jersey famous, have all distinguished themselves while donning that outfit. The fact that Szoboszlai has large shoes to fill and a big heart is important to know.
The last Liverpool player to don the number 8 jersey was Naby Keita, who failed to live up to the high standards that go along with wearing such a jersey.
Szoboszlai is a new addition to Liverpool’s midfield as they look to replace players like James Milner, Jordan Henderson, and Fabinho. Manager Jurgen Klopp will have all eyes on the 22-year-old this season as he attempts to lead his team back to the top of the league following a disappointing campaign that saw them finish fifth in the Premier League the previous year.
Fans may anticipate the Hungary captain to deliver in front of goal going ahead as Liverpool needs attacking support in all areas of the field if they are to win significant hardware this season. The captain scored 20 goals and provided 21 assists in 91 appearances for RB Leipzig.