Liverpool
The rise of Dominik Szoboszlai – A genius with ‘confidence bordering on arrogance’
Dominlik Szoboszlai‘s career so far has taken him from Hungary to Austria, Germany and England. Here David Lynch speaks to the Liverpool FC No.8’s former coaches in an exclusive look at the impressive story – so far!.
EXCLUSIVE FOR THIS IS ANFIELD
Perhaps because he was so enamoured by it, it is Jesse Marsch who best sums up the sense given by so many of Szoboszlai’s former coaches that he has always been in possession of a confidence bordering on arrogance.
The American coach has fond memories of his first meeting with 18-year-old ‘Szobo’ following his appointment as Red Bull Salzburg boss in 2019, and recalls being blown away by a player whose remarkable talent was matched only by his own conviction that he would fulfil it.
This quality has clearly stood Szoboszlai in good stead during a meteoric rise that continued this summer with a £60 million move to Anfield, where he has quickly emerged as the beating heart of what Jurgen Klopp is terming ‘Liverpool 2.0’.
But that outcome was by no means guaranteed back when he was defying cultural norms during a crucial career stop in the Austrian Bundesliga.
Marsch tells This Is Anfield: “I’d spoken to Szobo a little bit before but the first day I showed up, you could see he had such confidence about him. It’s borderline arrogance, but it’s real.
“He just believes in himself and he’s always believed that he was going to be a big player. I’m drawn to those kind of personalities, I like guys that come with a bit of arrogance to them.
“Germany and Austria are a little different, but in German there’s a word, ‘demütig’, and it means humble. And if you say to somebody anything like, ‘He should stay humble’, it’s an insult because in German they don’t like arrogance.
“But I’m different, I’m American! So I was drawn to him immediately.
“He was still young, a bit immature, and still needed some guidance in terms of how to use his confidence to help benefit him as a player.
“But I watched him play the year before, I really liked him and I thought he had a big future with how I was going to move the team forward.”
Strict, focused and born for this
It is Szoboszlai’s father, Zsolt, a former professional footballer who played in his native Hungary and in Austria’s lower divisions, who is most frequently credited with forging that cast-iron self-belief by those with knowledge of the family.
Székesfehérvár locals also remember Dominik growing up in a strict environment that owed much to his father’s determination that his own career in the game would be surpassed by his son.
It is already well known that Szoboszlai was made to wear smaller boots than he required in order to improve his dexterity, but less so that he was rarely given permission to socialise with friends as a child whose main focus had to be training.
Zsolt’s bloody mindedness even stretched to opting out of Hungary’s traditional youth development pathway – a decision many felt was subsequently justified by the lack of obvious return on dictatorial prime minister Viktor Orban’s £2 billion investment in football since 2010.
He and his son had been coach and player in the youth ranks of local club Fehérvár FC (then known as Videoton due to a sponsorship agreement with a local electronics manufacturer) until Zsolt was involved in a disagreement that prompted a parting of the ways in 2007.
Rather than seek out another academy, Szoboszlai Snr instead elected to form his own, named Fonix Gold, with strict selection criteria and a focus on coaching on smaller groups to increase one-to-one contact.
Rather than seek out another academy, Szoboszlai Snr instead elected to form his own, named Fonix Gold, with strict selection criteria and a focus on coaching on smaller groups to increase one-to-one contact.
Szoboszlai thrived in this environment, though one rather remarkable story from this time concerns a consensus forming locally that he would never be quick enough to make it at the elite level.
Of course, that myth did not survive long, with the young midfielder’s exploits in his father’s academy soon earning him recognition at international level.
It was at that point a 15-year-old Szoboszlai came onto the radar of Michael Boris, a German coach then in charge of Hungary’s U19s and about to step up and lead the U21s.
Boris recalls: “Bernd Storck was the sporting director of the Hungarian federation and he said, ‘You have to have a look at this young guy’.
“Two weeks before he had played with the U17s and I took him with the U19s to Armenia.
“The second game, he came in for some minutes and, from this time, it was clear that if I was going to be the U21s coach then I had to take him as soon as possible.
“[He had] to play with older guys because, compared to the others in the U17s, you could see that he was different.
“First of all, the set-pieces, the free-kicks, the technical footing was amazing, but I think at this moment he is one of the guys who is running the most in the Premier League and you could see this in the youth also.
“Normally, a typical No. 10 is not working defensively and prefers to play forward, but he did everything even though he played in an offensive position.”
A ‘crazy’ and ‘clever’ genius
As well as this technical prowess, Szoboszlai was already showing his trademark confidence in attempting to take responsibility from his more senior teammates.
Boris says: “We had players like Daniel Gazdag, who now plays for the senior national team and is very successful, so we had a lot of good midfield players.
“But Dominik, every free-kick he went to the ball and wanted to shoot!
“I had to explain that there was an order and that the older player has to try it and then, if it’s not good, then he can.
“But at that age he was a little bit naughty – but it was positive. And you could see the quality in his shooting free-kicks.
“There is a touch of negativity in the word arrogance, but he had confidence, a good self-confidence in himself and knowledge of how to survive against older players.”
A breakout on the international stage meant it was not long until attention from abroad followed, with Red Bull heading up the queue thanks to their famously extensive scouting network.
But, for reasons that even those close to the deal aren’t quite able to clarify at this point, Szoboszlai was required to spend time in the academy of a top-flight side before a move could be signed off.
For that reason, he made the switch to nearby MTK Budapest for 12 months, and it is there, after years of hearing about this local wonderkid through friends, that Zsolt Szekely first got to see him up close.
Inevitably, he was stunned by what he saw, and recalls: “He was very, very clever – a genius!
“He knew who was a good player and who wasn’t, and he never passed the ball to someone who wasn’t good enough for him.
“Sometimes, if he saw there was a good player who might score, he wouldn’t pass the ball in front of them but a little bit behind him so he would give back the ball again and then he could score.”
Szekely tells one story in particular that paints a picture of just how dominant Szoboszlai had become among his peers.
He says: “He became a champion with the U17s, but the U16s had one last game and had to win it to become champions too.
“So came back to us to help us… and scored four goals and gave three assists as we won 8-0. He’s a crazy guy.”
The art of learning the lesson
Of course, given his tender years, Szoboszlai still had much to learn but, as has so often been the case in his short career, his cocksure nature generally served to bring him through.
Szekely adds: “I had a feeling sometimes that he didn’t work hard enough.
“There was a game where I was dissatisfied with him and I spoke with his father, who was also angry about it not being enough.
“I spoke with Szoby and told him that if he didn’t work harder I would put him on the bench, even in his own age group.
“That day he trained well and the next day he played fantastically, and that night he sent me a text: ‘Did you mean this, Zsolt?’
“He was very strong mentally, always. He knew what he had to do and he did it. To be honest, his father was always behind him, always told him what he had to do. So I think one of the biggest parts of his success is his father.”
Marsch, too, remembers occasionally struggling to get Szoboszlai to take lessons on board from anyone other than his father once he had reached Salzburg.
He says: “In the beginning, when I was critical of him he didn’t want to hear me.
“I had a lot of individual video sessions with him, almost every training session, almost every game.
“We would sit down and I would talk to him because with young, talented players like that it’s all about helping them achieve their potential and creating an accelerated learning curve.
“Then, what I call ‘the click’, once they start to understand exactly what’s necessary, it just hits them all at once and then it’s when they take off.
“In the beginning, Szobo was like, ‘Yeah, that’s not the best example…’
“But he and I had good trust and a good relationship and I kept pushing him to do more, to be more, to play harder, to not be satisfied.
“Eventually, that really clicked with him and became one of the things about him.”
Fulfilling his destiny
This realisation resulted in Szoboszlai exploding, with his spells at Salzburg and Leipzig returning four Austrian Bundesliga titles, three Austrian cups and two DFB-Pokals, and laying the foundations for his dream move to Liverpool.
He is now bidding for even more at Anfield, where his decision to take on the iconic No. 8 shirt has invited early comparisons with Steven Gerrard that, rather incredibly, look to have some legitimacy.
There is certainly a familiarity to his tireless running, powerful drives through midfield, and unstoppable long-distance shots – though the Scouse accent perhaps needs work.
But the most striking Gerrard trait evidenced by Szoboszlai thus far is his ability to thrive under pressure, which maybe should come as no surprise from a player who has been a Hungarian icon since being appointed his country’s captain at the age of just 22.
As Boris explains: “I’m living in Budapest and you can see now a lot of Liverpool shirts with the No. 8 and Szoboszlai on the back.
“Everybody is proud that this guy went to Liverpool and is playing well. I don’t know if every game from Liverpool was broadcasted before, but now it’s clear that they broadcast every game.”
Shouldering lofty expectations is perhaps made easier when you are simply fulfilling what you have long believed to be your destiny.
And, according to Marsch, Szoboszlai shares that mindset with another high-profile star to have also recently taken the Premier League by storm.
He says: “I got a note from his agent the day he signed for Liverpool and he said, ‘This was our vision from day one and you helped Dominik get there’.
“Szobo always had this belief in himself and this vision that he would be playing for the biggest clubs in the world and be the best player in those teams.
“This is all part of the manifestation of his confidence and his belief in himself. Some people may look at it as arrogance but Erling [Haaland] is the same.
“It’s interesting because Erling and Szobo had a really good relationship in Salzburg and, I think, learned a lot from each other.
“But I could see from both of them that they were going to be among the best players in the world because of their enthusiasm, their talent, their belief, their commitment, their work ethic, their desire to improve.
“The vision they had for themselves was different to most players. I don’t think that will ever be an issue for Szobo.”
There is more to come
So, having reached a destination where he can fully realise his immense potential under a masterful coach like Jurgen Klopp, what comes next?
According to those who know Szoboszlai best: world domination.
Boris says: “They asked me two or three years ago when he moved from Austria to Germany, how good he can be.
“I said, compared to Kai Havertz, he is stronger and better and it’s because he has this working attitude.
“He is able to play the 10 with less defensive work but you can also play with him on the No. 8 and he’s a real worker.
“With that, he also has amazing technique and the shot from distance is also amazing and the free-kicks. So he has this working mentality and I think it’s perfect.”
Marsch, too, returns to his own past comments on Szoboszlai, ones which he believes underline the potential for further growth.
He says: “In previous interviews, I’ve said the difference between him and Erling in terms of talent is not very big.
“They’re different positions and they have a different impact on the game, but I knew that physically he would be able to be dominant.
“And with Szobo’s technique and football intelligence, I knew that he would be very good.
“He’s hit the ground running but, when I see him play, there are still a lot of little things he can do better and I think he will grow and get better as he continues to play.”
And if we know one thing about Dominik Szoboszlai at this point, it is that his attempts to get even better certainly won’t be blocked by a lack of self belief.
Liverpool legend furious at being substituted during win over Chelsea
After being substituted during the second half of the Legends Charity Match win over Chelsea, one ex-Reds striker could not mask his frustration at the decision to take him off.
The Frenchman, who represented the Reds between 2004 and 2007, made his return to L4 as he partnered ex-teammate Peter Crouch in attack. However, the 43-year-old showed that he no longer possessed the pace that came to characterize his performances during his playing days in front of the Kop in the closing minutes of the encounter.
Chilean winger Mark Gonzalez had embarked on a trademark mazy run down the left-wing before crossing the ball to the far post late on in the second half. Cisse was unable to get on the end of what was an inviting lofted ball, as he was left holding his hamstring before hobbling away in the 80th minute of play.
After witnessing the former Auxerre and Marseille forward appearing to pull up after this passage of play, Sir Kenny Dalglish resolved to bring the retired star off the field. Despite grimacing only moments earlier and appearing to be in some pain, Cisse seemingly still did not want to come off, though.
In fact, as he left trudged off the pitch, the ex-Sunderland and QPR man made no secret of his apparent disapproval, as Dirk Kuyt came on in his place to see out the game. The striker, who scored 24 times in 84 outings for the Merseysiders, drew a blank on his return to Anfield as the Liverpool Legends saw out a 2-0 victory.
Reacting to the substitution, former Reds captain and pundit Phil Thompson admitted that the Dalglish and his assistants on the day had very little choice but to bring Cisse off. He explained to Peter McDowall on the LFC TV commentary: “Listen, they have to protect the players at this age.”
As Cisse approached the Liverpool dugout, he appeared to ask the coaching staff why he had been substituted for the closing stages of the clash. Seeing the funny side of the situation as the Frenchman discussed the decision with Steven Gillespie, McDowall laughed: “He’s never changed, has he?”
The 2005 Champions League winner joined ex-skippers Steven Gerrard and Sami Hyypia in returning to Anfield for the game, which was put on to raise money for the LFC Foundation. Alongside the pair, ex-Kop cult heroes including Crouch, Ragnar Klavan and Jerzy Dudek also made an appearance.
On the opposing side of the battle, Chelsea’s Legends side consisted of Stamford Bridge icons Claude Makelele, Dennis Wise and Gianfranco Zola. Forward duo Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink and Eidur Gudjohnsen also were present as they too made the trip to Merseyside for the charity clash.
In the end, Crouch’s brace was enough to separate the two sides after what proved to be an entertaining spectacle at Anfield. The former England striker even performed his famous Robot celebration in front of the Kop, to the delight of the 60,000 fans in attendance.
Following the game, John Barnes and John Aldridge addressed the “first dispute” to have happened in the annual Legends Charity Game as they gave their take on Cisse’s frustrations. Aldridge, who had been assisting Liverpool’s manager Dalglish, reflected: “For the first time ever we had a dispute, Djibril wasn’t happy. We all thought he’d pulled up”
Meanwhile, Barnes gave his perspective, adding: “We all thought he was injured because he pulled up, but he said, ‘I never said, I never said’, I said, ‘yeah, but you looked injured. You never said you were injured but you looked injured’, but he said he was fine.”
Player ratings from Theo Squires after Liverpool’s clash with Chelsea in the Legends Charity game.
Peter Crouch marked his Liverpool Legends debut with a brace off the bench as the Reds clinched a deserved 2-0 victory over Chelsea at Anfield in the annual LFC Foundation match on Saturday.
The striker brought back the robot celebration in front of the Kop after heading home Florent Sinama-Pongolle’s cross, before lobbing Rob Green after bringing down Mark Gonzalez’s cross to the far post.
He was not the only star player for the Reds though against their familiar foes, with the likes of Steven Gerrard and Martin Kelly – also making his Legends debut – catching the eye back at Anfield. The ECHO was in attendance at the game to provide the player ‘ratings’ on a day to remember.
Jerzy Dudek
Unfortunate to see his afternoon come to a premature end after hurting his foot when Hasselbaink attempted to block his kick. Given a standing ovation.
Martin Kelly
One of the youngest members of the squad, he impressed on his Legends debut. Got forward well down the right-hand side and whipped in a couple of dangerous crosses. Unlucky not to score when dragging just wide on the stroke of half-time. Switched to centre-back at half-time, but that didn’t stop him getting forward when possible. Has he even officially retired? Completed the full 90. Still only 34 years old, could do a job in the Football League.
Igor Biscan
Played in a back three rather than his traditional midfield role. Defended well to help starve Hasselbaink of service before being withdrawn at half-time.
Sami Hyypia
Unlucky not to open the scoring when he headed narrowly wide from a Gerrard cross. Dealt well with Hasselbaink, putting in one vital interception.
Ragnar Klavan
Important block on Hasselbaink when the Dutchman looked to get behind the defence. The first Klopp legend, wasn’t shy getting forward but moved to the centre of defence after the break. Volleyed over in the second half. Only recently retired, completed the full 90 minutes.
Gregory Vignal
Scored in last year’s Legends match and unfortunate not to again when one powerful strike was inadvertently blocked by Babel. Like Kelly on the other flank, also got forward well to offer width from outwide.
Jay Spearing
Tested Cudicini with an early strike from distance. Flew into a number of challenges, annoying Wise in the process at one point. Linked up well with Gerrard. Subbed at half-time before he earned the further wrath of Chelsea and the officials! Then brought back on in place of Riera.
Momo Sissoko
Passed it around well in a deeper midfield role alongside Spearing before being subbed shortly after the half-hour mark.
Steven Gerrard
Initially given a free-role in midfield, the Liverpool captain was popping up everywhere in the first half. At the heart of everything from the Reds. Dropped deeper after Sissoko’s withdrawal. Urged to shoot by the crowd on multiple occasions, but wouldn’t go in for him. Shot high and wide from range and scuff a chance after combining with Benayoun in the box. As he always does, completed the full 90.
Dirk Kuyt
Linked up well with Gerrard and Babel in attack as Liverpool looked to hit Chelsea on the counter. Had Bosingwa to curse for being denied a one v one chance before being subbed at the break. Came back on late on in place of Cisse.
Ryan Babel
Inadvertently blocked Vignal’s goalbound strike from invoking his inner-Xabi Alonso and trying to score from inside his own half. Used his pace well down the left and created one good chance for Kelly.
SUBS
Sander Westerveld (On for Dudek, 18)
Got down well to deny Hasselbaink with a low save from a fierce free-kick. Even better save to tip over Huth’s header.
Natasha Dowie (On for Sissoko, 33)
Wasted no time in making her presence felt and wasn’t shut getting stuck in. Took out Claude Makelele before earning cheers for tracking back and stealing the ball from Ramires. A fan-favourite!
Fabio Aurelio (On for Hyypia, 46)
Playing in a back three this year rather than wing-back. Fired one free-kick narrowly over the bar, beating Gerrard to take it, before putting in a vital tackle on Ramires in his own box moments later.
Mark Gonzalez (On for Vignal, 46)
Kept up his remarkable goals contribution record in Legends matches with a beautiful assist for Crouch’s second, crossing to the far post. Volleyed wide first time from a Sinama-Pongolle cross.
Yossi Benayoun (On for Spearing, 46)
Grew in influence as the second half wore on, gliding forward and linking up well with his team-mates. Gerrard should have done better from his cutback, while Aurelio didn’t connect properly with a dinked pass. Showed true colours by only representing Liverpool in this clash between his two former clubs!
Albert Riera (On for Dowie, 46)
Saw a lot of the ball down the left and put in a great cross for Cisse, which the Frenchman should have done better with. Replaced shortly after the hour-mark as Spearing came back on.
Florent Sinama-Pongolle (On for Biscan, 46)
Right wing-back is a new position for the Frenchman! Great cross from the right to set up Crouch. Was not his only dangerous cross either.
Djibril Cisse (On for Kuyt, 46)
Headed just wide from Riera’s cross. Showed good movement in the box, but was unable to carve out another shooting opportunity as Crouch stole the limelight. Kuyt came back on in his place late on.
Peter Crouch (On for Babel, 46)
Marked his Legends debut with a goal as he leapt highest to connect with Sinama-Pongolle’s cross. Celebrated with the robot in front of the Kop. A very popular goalscorer! Then scored a second with an even better finish, lobbing Green at the far post after bringing down Gonzalez’s cross.
David James (On for Westerveld, 63)
Had next to nothing to do as Chelsea failed to threaten the Liverpool goal for the majority before Ramires shot tamely at him. The dream scenario for a Legends goalkeeper!
Isaac’s Family Reacts to Concerns About Their Son, the Biggest Liverpool Fan
“I was worried about putting out the wrong message to other families that it’s all very positive when the reality is that we are dealing with another side behind closed doors,” Melissa said.”
The New York Times hosted Isaac’s family to find out how the family is faring, especially as it matters to their son, who is currently the fans favorite for the Liverpool family and the world at large.
According to Isaac’s dad, Alan:
“I’ve never felt more positive about things with him doing so well. We’re just so proud of him. He’s taken everything in his stride.
“Isaac spent his first ten (10) nights in intensive care at Liverpool Women’s Hospital. He was having seizures, and we were scared he wasn’t going to survive.
But God has been faithful since then; he hasn’t had seizures since then. He does not also complain about anything. He always gets on and continues his life.
Alan revealed that their son had to have open-heart surgery at Alder Hey during his fourth birthday. It was diagnosed that there were a couple of holes in his heart that weren’t small to overlook, and that called for the need to operate on him. It was a very scary decision for the family; the operation was done, and he bounced back so quickly. They still go to Alder Hey regularly for checkups.
According to Isaac’s family, “He watches that video of him meeting the players every day, sometimes all day. He will say, ‘Mum, look, here’s me on YouTube!’.
About what he does aside from watching himself online, they added: “If he’s not watching a Liverpool game, he’s playing as Liverpool on his computer or watching Liverpool YouTube videos.”
Alan Said:
“He loves what I love. Liverpool is his life and brings him so much joy.”
The family also announced that they are expecting a new baby soon. So Isaac will have a new sibling later this year. Whatever the future holds, they pray God will lead them right, and they will have to embrace it together as one family.
Isaac’s Family Reacts to Concerns.
The Isaac family further expressed concerns on the status of their son and how it matters to the family of four with one on the way.
“I get messages saying, ‘Do you know what Isaac’s life span is going to be?’. No, I don’t want to know. Don’t come at me with that negative energy. None of us know how long our lifespan is going to be.
All we have to do is keep a positive energy; Isaac will surely survive and tell his story as a full-grown adult. God is in control.
“I’ve never felt more positive about things with him doing so well. We’re just so proud of him. He’s taken everything in his stride.
‘People ask us, ‘Aren’t you worried it’s too much for him?’. But honestly, he’s just living his best life.”
Isaac has low muscle tone, so even to this day, he struggles to walk upstairs, and he can’t walk very far. Most times, he relies on his mom and his dad for most things. Melissa says she knows people don’t really see that side of Isaac, because he’s just so positive. Whenever he is at home in need of physical care or anything like that, he always relies on his parents for them.
Isaac finds it hard to pull his own socks off from his feet because he’s just that weak. He is struggling, and he will win one day.
He has delayed growth when compared to other children of his age, in her words.
Isaac was born with a rare genetic condition from childhood. Before Isaac was born, during the antenatal stage of Melissa’s pregnancy. It was discovered by the doctors that Isaac had a medical syndrome known as Wolf-Hirschhorn syndrome. Typically, people with this health disorder have difficulty in seeing; most of them cannot hear or talk, not to mention walking in the future after birth.
The little lad has undergone a series of operations to get better; he has had open-heart surgery. And in all of this, Isaac, the Liverpool fan, doesn’t let it get him down; he is good at bouncing back and playing what he loves best.
Before the visit, Isaac had been making use of plush toys of Mo Salah and Virgil van Dijk in school and everywhere around him. Salah and Van Dijk were the players who came to pay him a surprise visit at a class.
In all of these, Isaac is still the happy and positive hero. He is so funny and is full of life. You must have noticed that he is kind of cheeky; that’s not a filter; he’s just the cheekiest little boy you’ll ever meet.
“7-Year-Old Superstar Steals the Show at Porthmadog – You Won’t Believe His Story!”
Saturday was no ordinary day at Traeth Stadium as Porthmadog FC had the immense honor of welcoming their very special guest, Isaac Kearney.
In their invitation, Porthmadog FC referred to him as “the man himself,” and it’s easy to see why. At just seven years old, Isaac is already a well-known personality, capturing hearts across social media with his infectious love for football. He stole the show as Porthmadog faced Llangefni Town, bringing an energy that electrified the stadium.
A Rising Star with a Global Audience
Isaac has skyrocketed to online fame, amassing an incredible 1.8 million followers. His viral video, featuring an unforgettable moment with his Anfield idols Mohamed Salah and Virgil van Dijk, has been viewed an astonishing 120 million times worldwide. This young Liverpool superfan has become an internet sensation, inspiring fans far beyond Merseyside.
More Than Just a Football Fan
Isaac’s story is not just about football; it carries an inspiring message of resilience and positivity. He was born with Wolf-Hirschhorn Syndrome, a rare genetic disorder that affects growth and development. But instead of letting his condition define him, Isaac has become a beacon of hope, proving that nothing can hold back his love for life and the beautiful game.
Changing Perceptions and Inspiring Millions
Beyond his social media success, Isaac’s journey is making a real impact. His mother, Melissa, takes immense pride in how his growing online presence has helped raise awareness about Wolf-Hirschhorn Syndrome. His story is shifting perceptions, breaking barriers, and showing the world that every child, no matter their challenges, deserves to dream big.
A Day to Remember at Porthmadog FC
Isaac’s visit to Porthmadog FC was yet another milestone in his incredible journey. His enthusiasm lit up the stadium, and his presence left an unforgettable mark on players and fans alike. With his boundless energy and unstoppable spirit, Isaac Kearney continues to prove that no obstacle is too great to overcome.
As he left the pitch, one thing was clear—this young Liverpool fan is not just stealing the show; he’s winning hearts everywhere he goes.
‘The ball doesn’t want to go in’ – Nunez feels goal drought down to ‘bad luck’
Darwin Nunez has scored just once in his last 13 appearances in all competitions, and knows he must raise his performance levels.
Darwin Nunez conceded he has not been performing “as well as I should”, but has felt like “the ball doesn’t want to go in” during his recent goal drought.
Nunez is underperforming his 10.55 xG, while he boasts a modest 11.11% shot conversion rate.
The Uruguay international’s struggles continued as he saw a penalty saved in the shootout that saw the Reds exit the Champions League at the hands of Paris Saint-Germain.
The truth…
Despite leading the Premier League by 12 points, Arne Slot’s side were beaten by Newcastle United in last weekend’s EFL Cup final, while they suffered a shock FA Cup defeat against Championship side Plymouth Argyle.
https://twitter.com/i/status/1902114065524158733
Nunez knows he must raise his performance levels, but does believe much of his difficulties in front of goal have been purely down to bad fortune.
“It’s been a tough few weeks for me, personally,” he said. “These are moments that you go through in football.
“I’m not someone who throws in the towel because I can’t play; I’m going to fight to be able to play every game. I know I’m not performing as well as I should.
“It’s difficult because when you’re doing well or playing well, your confidence changes. But the next game, you find out you’re not playing, and that makes you feel down.
“But I always try to train to be well and help my team-mates in any way I can; that’s what matters. The ball doesn’t want to go in. I’m running a lot, playing well, and not being able to score a goal. It’s bad luck.”
Liverpool
‘Agreement is complete’ – Liverpool player has agreed all details on Anfield exit, now needs signing
Over the past year or so, multiple claims from Spain have stated Liverpool star Trent Alexander-Arnold is a target for Real Madrid.
The right-back’s contract expires in June and Los Blancos tried to sign him in January, but the Reds refused to sell for a bargain fee.
AS claim the Liverpool player, Real Sociedad’s Martín Zubimendi and AFC Bournemouth’s Dean Huijsen are the names that ‘stand out’ in Real Madrid’s list.
With regards to the England international’s move to Real Madrid, AS state ‘agreement between the parties is complete’.
The right-back has agreed all details of the agreement and only his signing is missing for it to be made official. The newspaper states he knows the duration of the contract and the salary he will receive from the Spanish giants. At this stage, his signing is ‘99% done’.
Real Madrid have done their part and it’s down to Alexander-Arnold to sign the contract, which he’s expected to do so.
Liverpool are aware of his desire to join the La Liga club but haven’t given up on renewing his contract.
The report claims the 26-year-old is unlikely to sign an extension at Anfield unless there’s a last-minute surprise. At this point in time, it’s not expected for him to change his stance about leaving Liverpool.
Tears for Trent: Young Liverpool Fan Isaac Reacts to Rumors of His Departure
Liverpool fans worldwide are struggling to come to terms with the possibility of Trent Alexander-Arnold leaving the club. But for one young fan, the news has been particularly devastating. Isaac, a passionate seven-year-old Liverpool supporter, was left heartbroken when his parents spoke to him about Trent’s potential departure. According to his mother, the news hit him so hard that he cried himself to sleep.
Trent has been a hero to many young Liverpool fans, embodying loyalty, passion, and skill. For Isaac, the right-back represents everything he loves about the club. The thought of watching a Liverpool team without Trent is almost unthinkable for the young Red. His emotional reaction mirrors the sentiments of countless fans who have taken to social media, urging the club to do everything possible to keep their vice-captain.
Tears for Trent have not been limited to Isaac alone. Across social platforms, the hashtag #StayForIsaac has started gaining traction, with fans pleading for Trent to reconsider any plans of leaving. The young defender, who grew up as a Liverpool fan himself, surely understands the deep connection supporters like Isaac have with him.
As contract talks and transfer speculations continue, Isaac’s heartbreak is a reminder of the emotional impact football has on its youngest supporters. For now, his only hope—and that of many Liverpool fans—is that Trent stays and continues to make history at Anfield.
Isaac’s Mum Speaks on How He Copes with His Disability at Home – A Heartfelt Truth That Will Inspire You
When asked on Instagram how Isaac feels about his disability, his mum’s response was both touching and inspiring. In a world where differences are often highlighted, Isaac’s perspective on life stands as a powerful reminder that confidence and self-worth are not defined by physical limitations.
Isaac’s Mum Speaks
According to his mum, Isaac has no awareness of his disability. He sees himself just like any other child, playing, laughing, and interacting with his friends without a second thought about what sets him apart. “He honestly doesn’t see himself any different to his friends. And I love that, he’s so full of confidence,” she shared.
However, at home, moments arise when Isaac realizes his physical limitations—especially when compared to his little sister. While he is full of self-belief, there are times he gets frustrated because he can’t do as much physically. But in those moments, his sister steps in with unconditional love and support, always ready to help him in any way she can.
Isaac’s story is not just about coping with a disability; it’s about a mindset that many can learn from. His unwavering confidence, the love and support he receives from his family, and his ability to focus on what he can do rather than what he can’t is a lesson in resilience. His mum’s words remind us that disability does not define a person—attitude does.
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