Dominik Szoboszlai, like Steven Gerrard before him, has the pedigree to be a star at Anfield thanks to his encouraging play in his first few outings for Liverpool.

According to the Liverpool Echo, Dominik Szoboszlai has shown in his few appearances with the club that he is more than capable of taking over the number eight jersey once worn by the legendary Steven Gerrard.

Gerrard, a great player for Liverpool, retired from the sport in 2015, just before Jurgen Klopp succeeded Brendan Rodgers as manager at Anfield. Among the many honors the English midfielder had brought to Merseyside were the Champions League, the FA Cup, and the UEFA Cup.

He wanted to play against tougher opposition, so he transferred to the LA Galaxy in the United States. Naby Keita, a highly rated individual talent, was granted the legendary number eight jersey of the previous captain in the summer of 2018.

The Guinean international showed flashes of a strong skill set, but ultimately fell short of the lofty standards set for him. During his time at Liverpool, Gerrard was instrumental in shaping the club’s identity. He was famous for his ability to rise to the occasion in high-pressure situations, making him one of the most dynamic and outstanding players Anfield had ever seen.

The veteran midfielder was well-rounded and consistently outstanding, with a history of success in scoring goals, creating chances, making key tackles, exhibiting an exceptional variety of passing, setting the tone for his team, and more. While it’s clear that replacing the Reds’ all-time leading scorer is a tall order, the English powerhouse seems to have found a worthy heir to the number eight jersey.

In the summer of 2018, Liverpool spent €70 million to acquire Szoboszlai from German club RB Leipzig as a replacement for Keita. The captain of the Hungarian national team has taken up this position since he is a die-hard admirer of the Anfield great.

The rookie has already played in four Premier League games, but he is only getting started in his new role. He made quite an impression in his first game, earning the match’s Man of the Match award and wearing the legendary number eight shirt to great effect.

The former Bundesliga star’s effect has been so great that even Klopp has praised him. His exact words, as reported by the Liverpool Echo:

What a machine! So far they have won four games in a row, which is “pretty impressive,” “absolutely impressive,” and “ready for the dirty part of the game, really hard work, not the fancy stuff.”

Szoboszlai combines tenacity, strength, and enthusiasm on the field, and he has a beautiful touch and technical ability when he’s in possession of the ball. Because of his wide range of abilities and his relative youth, he sometimes displays traits reminiscent to Steven Gerrard, making him a really flexible player.

The Hungarian superstar has a similarly adaptable playing style and much of potential to develop in his profession. There’s discussion of his being successful, and early indicators are promising.