Liverpool was expected to compete on all fronts last season but underperformed and even missed out on Champions League qualification. The Reds sold Sadio Mane to Bayern Munich, and an injury to Luiz Diaz meant Liverpool was short of attacking options despite signing Cody Gakpo.
Instead, it was Arsenal that competed with City at the top of the Premier League table for most of the season. Inter also gave Manchester City a run for their money in the Champions League, while Liverpool were forced to settle for a place in the Europa League.
The Merseyside club missed a real presence in their midfield last season, forcing Jurgen Klopp to move Trent Alexander-Arnold to an unfamiliar midfield role. Liverpool have been active in the transfer market, snapping up Alexis Mac Allister from Brighton earlier in the transfer window.
Dominik Szoboszlai on Getting Steven Gerrard’s Shirt No.
Liverpool has made their second signing of the summer transfer window as Dominik Szobozlai arrives at the club from RB Leipzig after the Reds triggered his release clause of €70 million. This makes the Hungarian the second midfielder arriving at Anfield this summer after Alexis Mac Allister was snapped almost a month ago.
Szoboszlai will take up the famous No. 8 shirt worn by Steven Gerrard for most of his Liverpool career. On his choice to opt for this shirt number, the 22-year-old told LFC TV, “I will be number 8 as I have a tattoo from Steven Gerrard. That was a reason why. He was one of the biggest when I was a child.”
Steven Gerrard was one of his idols growing up. To be presented with the chance to don the shirt his idol once wore was too good an opportunity to pass up for Dominik Szobozlai. He has been the subject of two record-breaking transfer fees for a Hungarian for the second time.
Was Steven Gerrard Liverpool’s Greatest-ever Captain?
Bar the famous slip against Chelsea, which cost Chelsea the title in 2014, Steven Gerrard barely did anything bad in his 17 seasons at the club. Steven Gerrard famously led Liverpool to the Champions League final in 2005, where they defeated AC Milan in a thrilling penalty shoot-out after fighting back from 3 goals down to draw the game 3-3.
Gerrard lifted nine trophies at the club, including two FA Cups, three League Cups, and one UEFA Cup. He left Liverpool in the summer of 2015 to join MLS side LA Galaxy, following in the footsteps of fellow Englishman David Beckham. He retired from professional football following the expiration of his contract at LA Galaxy.
Gerrard has since gone into management, leading Rangers to a Scottish Premiership title in 2021 before moving to Aston Villa that summer. He was sacked a year later and has not managed any club since October 2022.
