Liverpool have found a new Gerrard, but it’s not Szoboszlai

When Arne Slott and the Liverpool players were asked about the inconsistencies this season, they seemed genuinely confused.

There are many contributing factors to the defeat, but the drop-off was staggering and it is difficult to understand how they could lose so badly against Tottenham Hotspur in the Premier League, blow past Galatasaray and set up a match against Paris Saint-Germain in the quarter-finals of the Champions League.

But this is the story of their season and Liverpool still need to maintain their purposeful performances if they are to get anything back. It is worth noting that the Reds have had two tough seasons under manager Jurgen Klopp, but have bounced back in both respects over the course of the working month. Slots should also follow this.

Dominik Szoboszlai was back in charge and cemented his place as Liverpool’s player of the year. If anyone was going to pull them over the line, it would be him.

Szoboszlai’s performance in the Champions League

Szoboszlai is often said to resemble Steven Gerrard. He wears the same shirt as (arguably) Liverpool’s greatest ever player and there are certain similarities in his strong all-action display from midfield.

Time and time again, Szoboszlai has emerged as a trump card for a defeated Liverpool side. Only the 25-year-old’s talent can cement Anfield in its promised position with a crucial few months ahead of it, as well as a Premier League title and a top-four/five finish.

His free-kick (his fourth goal of the season) against Tottenham last weekend gave Liverpool the lead, and while his team-mates have tried to use flattery to fool them since then, his emphatic goal on Wednesday certainly thrilled them.

As the saying goes, it was a goal straight off the training field.

After the £116m signing of Florian Wirths last summer, there was a feeling that it would be difficult to captain Hungary, but he has outperformed the German playmaker and other players.

But while Szoboszlai may be a Gerrard-like figure in midfield, there are others who deserve to be crowned Liverpool’s all-new inspirational talisman.

Liverpool’s new Steven Gerrard

Szoboszlai may play in the trappings of Liverpool’s iconic former captain, but it is actually Mohamed Salah who is emerging as a new version of the retired England star.

Probably that’s not true. Perhaps the truth is that Salah has been Gerrard 2.0 for some time now, an example of the leadership and unparalleled ability that has taken Anfield to glorious heights.

He has maintained an indomitable spirit throughout the years. To many enemies, they are daggers, not thorns. But Salah is 33, will be 34 in June, and although he had one of the Premier League’s great individual performances last year, he has fallen from his unstoppable level since the summer.

Salah may not be as powerful as he once was, but he is still a different breed and showed his quality and mentality to fight back after missing a penalty in the first half and produce a superb second-half performance, scoring a fine goal and an artistic assist.

After a disastrous first leg against Galatasaray at Anfield, Salah distinguished himself by not only making an impact in dangerous areas, but also completing 95% of his passes and creating two big chances.

Perhaps the Champions League is a better fit for Salah right now. English football has become more physical and direct this season, with Arsenal leading the way in that regard. Continental football has a smoother flow and a cynic might say that has unraveled many of England’s outfits this week.

And for Salah, that’s clear. Salah has been more effective and sharp on the continent, and here he needs to focus on his talent in the final months of the season.

When Liverpool signed Alexander Isak and Hugo Ekitike this summer, Slott abandoned Salah as the absolute centerpiece of the final third. It had to happen, otherwise the strikers would continue to serve the 33-year-old right-winger.

However, this had a negative impact on Salah’s level and was countered by him staying wider than he would have liked. There is no doubt that his physical and defensive metrics have declined over the past few seasons, but his potential has forgiven such weaknesses.

If not more, Slott ultimately rectified that problem, moving him closer to center in the versatile offensive role he shares with Ekitike. It paid off, reminding the public that one of the best forwards in European history still has more to offer.

In this respect, Salah is becoming the slot version of Gerrard, who can still produce high-profile moments well into the autumn of his career.

Salah’s extravagant finish was typical, visible even from the sidelines. wrong finish, He drew cheers and hugs from Rio Ngmoha and Trey Nyoni on the sideline. This is Mo Salah, after all, and when he does something special, something no one else can do, it elicits a reaction from the younger members of the team, undoubtedly the players who have idolized him throughout his formative years.

It was a goal that brought Gerrard to jubilant applause. The Merseyside legend was part of TNT Sports’ team of pundits who celebrated the Egyptian’s 10th goal of the season.

Salah isn’t finished yet. It’s best to leave it to the bookmakers to decide what lies ahead after this whirlwind campaign concludes, but for now let’s enjoy watching one of Liverpool’s all-time greats hunt down another piece of magic at this late stage of his career.