“Every time I tried to stop him, he showed me something I’d never experienced before… Honestly, no defender would want to face a player like that.”
Those were the surprising words of Newcastle’s Anthony Gordon, who revealed the toughest opponent he’s ever come up against in the Premier League. And rather than naming Mohamed Salah or Luis Díaz, Gordon pointed to Liverpool’s midfield star, Dominik Szoboszlai.
The 23-year-old attacker admitted that Szoboszlai’s mix of pace, vision, and unpredictability makes him a nightmare to deal with. Unlike typical wingers who depend mainly on speed, the Hungarian international combines clever feints, sharp passing, and a powerful strike, forcing defenders to constantly second-guess themselves.
Gordon explained how every time he thought he had Szoboszlai trapped, the midfielder would twist free and either slip a dangerous pass or create a chance from nowhere. “He doesn’t just attack you directly—he manipulates your movement. By the time you react, he’s already gone,” Gordon said.
Since joining Liverpool, Szoboszlai has become a key force in their attack, linking midfield and forward play in ways that make him incredibly hard to contain. While Salah and Núñez often grab headlines, Gordon’s comments highlight the Hungarian’s growing reputation as one of the league’s most feared talents.
For a rising rival like Gordon to openly praise him shows just how much respect Szoboszlai commands across the Premier League—and serves as a warning to defenders: if you give him space, you’re already beaten.