EXCLUSIVE: Dominik Szoboszlai’s former coach insists new Liverpool signing will be ‘one of the stars of the Premier League’ within a few years and lauds the £60m man’s mentality after taking Steven Gerrard’s No 8 shirt
Ex-Hungry assistant manager Giovanni Costantino is confident Dominik Szoboszlai will not only hit the ground running at Anfield but will quickly establish himself as ‘one of the stars of the Premier League’.
The 22-year-old completed a £60m move from RB Leipzig over the weekend which made him Liverpool’s second signing of a summer window dedicated to midfield reinforcements.
Costantino, who coached Szoboszlai with the national team between 2018 and 2021, told Mail Sport the youngster has all the ingredients to become a star at Anfield and rubbished claims he may find the step up to an elite club challenging.
‘Look, I don’t believe people who say “Dominik will need some time to adjust to the Premier League”,’ he said. ‘I think he will have an impact from the beginning.
‘His mentality to take the number eight is a big responsibility and he’s not scared of responsibility so he just needs the support of the fans who are unbelievable.
Giovanni Costantino pushed for Szoboszlai’s international debut as an 18-year-old in 2019
Szoboszlai spent two seasons with Bundesliga side RB Leipzig and won two German Cups
The 22-year-old put pen to paper on a five-year-deal at Anfield and will wear the number 8 shirt
‘I am sure the fans will like him from the beginning because he’s the kind of player that makes the fans happy with his play style.’
Szoboszlai has been touted as a future talent ever since he was snapped up by RB Salzburg in 2017 ahead of a move to RB Leipzig four years later.
In Germany, the Hungary captain claimed back-to-back German Cups and formed a formidable partnership with Chelsea new boy Christopher Nkunku.
Costantino revealed that his last meeting with Szoboszlai came before Leipzig’s Champions League thumping at the hands of eventual winners Man City.
The Italian conceded the result was not the best look for the team but laid none of the blame at the hands of new Liverpool man, instead he reckons Szoboszlai’s display showed he was not out of his place among City’s star studded outfit.
‘When you see that match, even though it was not good for his team, his level was not far from the Man City players,’ he added.
‘This means he’s already a Premier League player. I think he’s developed a lot. His father and agent are very important for him.
‘I think his skills are absolutely perfect for Liverpool and I won’t be surprised if in the next few years he’ll be one of the big stars in the Premier League.
‘He’s ready, he’s just ready.’
