“I was genuinely blown away by his performance — every pass, shot, and touch was spot on,” Gerrard said.
“At last, he played like the footballer Liverpool signed.”
“He was outstanding.”
Those remarks alone sent a wave of excitement through supporters, but the wider context makes Gerrard’s praise even more significant.
A display that demanded attention
From the first whistle, Szoboszlai looked transformed.
More focused.
More assertive.
More commanding.
He took responsibility, set the rhythm, and played as if the match revolved around him. His distribution was crisp, his forward balls purposeful, and his movement consistently created space for others.
This wasn’t merely a solid outing.
It was a declaration.
Gerrard, watching closely, was said to be visibly approving throughout — no small compliment from a player whose standards were shaped by Liverpool’s most demanding eras.
“This is the player Liverpool invested in”
Sine his arrival, Szoboszlai has carried heavy expectations. A significant fee. A strong reputation. Constant comparisons
There had been moments of quality, but also quieter spells that left fans questioning whether he was still settling or holding back.
Gerrard believes that phase may be over.
“This is the footballer Liverpool paid for,” he stressed.
“This is how top midfielders impose themselves on games.”
Coming from someone who embodied midfield dominance at Anfield, the endorsement carried real weight.
Game intelligence finally on show
What stood out most to Gerrard wasn’t just Szoboszlai’s technical quality, but his judgement.
He didn’t overcomplicate things.
He didn’t chase the spotlight.
He made the right decision time after time.
Knowing when to slow the tempo.
When to surge forward.
When to shoot.
When to release a teammate.
That composure, Gerrard suggested, separates raw talent from a complete midfielder.
Inside the club, coaches were equally impressed, highlighting his positioning, discipline, and work without the ball as among his best performances in a Liverpool shirt.
A defining moment?
There’s a growing belief at Anfield that this match could represent a key moment in Szoboszlai’s journey.
Not simply because he played well — but because he played with authority.
Teammates relied on him.
Opponents struggled to contain him.
Supporters trusted him.
And when Steven Gerrard singles you out publicly, it resonates far beyond one game.
Why it matters for Liverpool
Liverpool have been searching for a midfielder who can:
Control matches
Lead through performance
Decide games with quality rather than chaos
If this version of Szoboszlai becomes the norm, the balance of Liverpool’s midfield shifts dramatically.
Gerrard didn’t need to spell that out — his praise said enough.
It wasn’t exaggeration.
It was acknowledgement.
The belief is building
By the final whistle, Szoboszlai’s name echoed louder around the ground. Online, clips spread rapidly with one recurring message:
“Gerrard sees it too.”
And that may be the most telling endorsement of all.
