Dominik Szoboszlai: Liverpool sign midfielder from RB Leipzig in £60m deal

Liverpool FC can say they have completed the signing of Dominic Szabozlai from RB Leipzig subject to a work permit. The Hungary international becomes the Reds second new addition for Jurgen Klopp this summer after agreeing terms and successfully completing a medical following in the footsteps of Alexis McAllister. It goes on to say he arrives at Anfield after two and a half years in the Bundesliga with RB Leipzig and he's been speaking to the club's website as well. This is what he's had to say. It's really, really good. I enjoyed the last few days and I'm looking forward to knowing everybody better. The last three or four days went really long. It was not that easy but at the end I'm here and I'm happy and I cannot wait to get started. Music to the ears of Liverpool fans that will be seeing their new signing talking on the club's website. We knew that this was a deal that escalated very quickly because he had that release clause of 60 million pounds which expired on midnight at Friday and at around seven o'clock Liverpool confirmed to RB Leipzig that they would be willing to pay the release clause. He traveled to the northwest on Saturday to start his medical. That was completed today and now at four o'clock officially Liverpool have their new man. For people who don't watch the Bundesliga, Mark, why has Jurgen Klopp spent this amount of money on Szybosz Lai? Well first things first there was a release clause which in modern transfers makes things quite simple because Liverpool know exactly what they've got to pay. There's no negotiation so it becomes a clean deal but what Liverpool have got is a 22-year-old international Hungary captain which gives you an indication as to the type of player he is, the leadership skills he has, the ability he has in and around the pitch as someone who can drag a team forward. That's exactly what he's done in the Bundesliga. He joined RB Leipzig for 20 million pounds in January 2021 and already he's rated at three times that price and now playing in the Premier League and the big thing as far as Liverpool and Jurgen Klopp is concerned is that he's versatile. He is someone that can play in multiple positions and that multifunctional midfield is something that will be a huge asset because we know that Liverpool have been key in terms of trying to identify the midfield area as an area they'd like to strengthen. One thing I will point out as well someone that has worked with him, someone that nearly joined the Premier League this summer Julian Nagelsmann who worked with him at Leipzig has said Dominic can play in a variety of positions. He can play in an attacking midfield as a left-sided attacker or even out wide on the left wing. He can also do the same on the right-hand side. In Salzburg he operated as a number 10 and as a left-sided number eight so I think that gives you an indication someone that knows him very well that he can play in multiple positions and that versatility will be absolutely key for Liverpool. It's got a big number as well hasn't he? A big act to follow he's been given the number eight Stephen Gerrard's former number as well. Midfield was a key area for Liverpool to strengthen this summer as you mentioned Alexis McAllister that's two reinforcements. Is that just what they needed? Is it a sign of things to come or is this short sharp work done early by Liverpool? Well it's good effective work. They've identified players that they wanted to bring into the football club and of course something that was significant for Jürgen Klopp and Liverpool over the course of this summer was not only did they want to strengthen midfield but they also wanted to reduce the average age of that particular department at the football club. So in Alexis McAllister and now Dominic Södersleyer they've got a 24 year old and a 22 year old so they're bringing down the average age of central midfield. This is a big refresh as far as Jürgen Klopp's concerned. They believe that both players but particularly Dominic Södersleyer is someone that's first team ready he can go straight into that starting 11 at Liverpool now but significantly at 22 he's also one for the future as well so not only can he go and play but he could be there for a number of years. Jürgen Klopp of course came from the Bundesliga he understands the league very well so the reporting, scouting networks and reports that he's had back about Södersleyer have all been really positive and it was quite clear after indicating on Thursday that there was a willingness from both sides to get the deal done that he has got someone that he has identified that can improve that Liverpool midfield so Jürgen Klopp heavily involved this is a player that was desperate to come to the Premier League and join Liverpool and Jürgen Klopp so both parties very happy and what a Sunday despite the disappointment of the ashes Liverpool fans can get excited because they've got a huge player that is arriving at Anfield.