Dominik Szoboszlai reveals Steven Gerrard influence in Liverpool transfer

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Dominik Szoboszlai reveals Steven Gerrard influence in Liverpool transfer

Dominik Szoboszlai has admitted the chance to emulate Liverpool hero Steven Gerrard played a big role in his decision to move to Anfield.

The Reds triggered Szoboszlai's €70m (£60m) release clause to lure him over from RB Leipzig and the 22-year-old has been handed the number 8 shirt made famous by Gerrard.

Szoboszlai acknowledged the importance of the number 8 shirt during his first interview at Liverpool and revealed the impact Gerrard has had on him as a person.

"It’s a great number, a lot of great players had this number," he explained. "And also I have a tattoo from Steven Gerrard, what he said – I don’t even remember when but before. It was also a reason why.

"When I was a child, to be honest I didn’t watch that much football but of course when it was Champions League or a big game, I was watching Liverpool, the big teams and also the big players – and he was one of the biggest."

The tattoo, which has been widely attributed to Gerrard even before Szoboszlai inked it, reads: "Talent is a blessing from God, but without incredible will and humility, it is worthless."

Szoboszlai also recalled his first trip to Anfield during his time with Red Bull Salzburg. In the same team as Erling Haaland and future Red Takumi Minamino, Szoboszlai put on a show as his side fell to a narrow 4-3 defeat.

"This time made me feel bad because we lost 4-3! But of course, I’ve said it before, I’ve almost never been nervous before the game, I think this was the first time in my life," he remembered.

"Of course the stadium, the fans were unbelievable even [though] they were against us [Salzburg]. And we will see how it is when they are with me."