Liverpool’s standout performer of the underwhelming 2025/26 campaign has put pen to paper to guarantee a longer stay on Merseyside, having had a fruitful four years since arriving in 2023.
The Hungarian captain spoke to Liverpoolfc.com after putting pen to paper on a new long-term deal, elucidating his ambition and hopes for the future:
“I want to set the example. I want to be an example also for everyone, as much as I can. When I signed, I said I want to win everything. That didn’t change for a little
moment either. It stayed the same: I want to win everything that is possible in this country, also let’s say the Champions League. I’m ready to go for it.”
Speaking to supporters specifically, Szoboszlai can’t help but reflect on the last year as he thinks of the future:
“Thanks to them for pushing me last season even more than ever. Just keep pushing us, because we know last season wasn’t what they deserve. Keep us pushing forward and we will give you whatever you want.”
He looks forward to playing under new head coach Andoni Iraola:
“I think he showed it in Bournemouth that [he is] an unbelievable coach. Always competed with us with the most fit team in the Premier League. With the intensity how he wants to play and the knowledge that he has, I think he’s an unbelievable coach. I’m looking forward to playing under him.”
Szoboszlai, whose country did not feature in the World Cup, echoes Miloš Kerkez’s sentiment that pre-season has begun with a positive mood amongst returning players:
“Yeah, of course. You come back from the summer holiday, you didn’t see the guys for two months, and the old guys who came back from loan: Kostas [Tsimikas], Harvey [Elliott]. So, happy to see them. Everybody is trying to be positive as much as possible, which right now is easy, but we have to keep on going, keep on working hard. This is what we need, I think.”
Naturally, the disappointment of last season has an impact on the team’s approach to the upcoming one:
“I think it shouldn’t be a pressure, it should be a motivation that you don’t want to do the same thing, the same mistakes we have done last season. That’s the motivation we have to take. Everybody has to take responsibility, probably the older ones even more, then the younger ones can follow the older ones. We have to become again a team.”
Though he puts being rewarded with a new long-term contract third as a life moment behind the birth of his child and the initial signing at the club, Szoboszlai nonetheless feels staying on Merseyside is an easy decision:
“I think it’s always easy to make a decision, especially when it comes to Liverpool. When I signed, it was very quick, I said yes directly. But it was always Liverpool. As I said, I’m really, really happy. Also for me, I know this is like a big family and I want to be part of that.”
Over his years with the club, he has felt himself developing as a player and person:
“It’s crazy that three years went really quick. I think I’m a completely different person, completely different player. I think I got better every year and year. Outside of football, I became a father, husband. So, I’ve been through a lot of changes in the last three years but I think my life is going in a good way. I’m happy about my family, about myself, about the club, about my football. So, I’m really happy.”
Szoboszlai is proud of his accomplishments, but hopes to continue developing under a third coach at Liverpool, and to accomplish more with the Reds:
“There’s always more to come. I’m never happy. No, I’m happy with myself but I think I can do even better. I think that’s why I’m sitting here, because that pushed me since I was a kid: that it was never enough. And I’m thinking the same now.”
Over his three years with Liverpool there have been accomplishments already — “[o]bviously winning the Premier League…To put the Liverpool jersey on for the first time and play at Anfield. To find friends in the team, who are maybe not even here anymore. And to be part of this family” — and hopefully there will be many more.
