In the ever-evolving world of European football, few stories capture the tension between ambition, loyalty, and business quite like the unfolding situation surrounding Dominik Szoboszlai. According to a recent report from *AS*, Liverpool are increasingly concerned about the contract status of their Hungarian playmaker — a player whose performances have been among the few bright lights in what has otherwise been a challenging campaign for Arne Slot’s side.
Two years after his £60 million move from RB Leipzig, Szoboszlai has firmly established himself as one of Liverpool’s most influential figures. Yet as Real Madrid and Manchester City reportedly circle, questions about his long-term future at Anfield — and the financial package required to secure it — are beginning to take center stage
When Dominik Szoboszlai put pen to paper on his Liverpool contract in the summer of 2023, the numbers involved reflected a deal for a talented but unproven young midfielder. The five-year agreement, worth around £120,000 per week, was consistent with the market value of a promising 22-year-old who had shone in Germany but was yet to test himself in the Premier League.
At the time, Liverpool’s transfer committee and then-manager Jürgen Klopp believed they had secured one of Europe’s emerging stars at a sensible rate. The expectation was that Szoboszlai would take time to adapt to the physicality and pace of English football, gradually growing into his role as part of a refreshed midfield unit.
Two seasons on, however, the context has changed completely. Szoboszlai is no longer the bright prospect from Leipzig — he is now the heartbeat of Liverpool’s midfield, the player through whom most of their attacking rhythm flows, and a figure who embodies the intensity and technical precision that has long defined the club’s identity.
Inside the AXA Training Centre, staff describe him as one of the most consistent professionals in the squad: focused, humble, and relentlessly competitive. His influence extends beyond his position; he has become a cultural anchor in a team navigating transition under Arne Slot
The 2025/26 season has been far from ideal for Liverpool. Sitting eighth in the Premier League table, they have struggled to replicate the relentless tempo that brought them their dramatic title win just 18 months ago. Injuries, tactical adjustments under Slot, and a drop in form from several key figures have left the team searching for consistency.
And yet, in the midst of that turbulence, Szoboszlai has emerged as the team’s standard-bearer. His performances have combined energy with composure, aggression with creativity — a rare balance that has made him indispensable.
Slot has deployed him in multiple roles depending on the tactical demands of each match. In some fixtures, Szoboszlai has operated as a box-to-box midfielder, driving the ball forward with his trademark bursts of acceleration. In others, he has been used deeper, dictating tempo alongside Alexis Mac Allister or Wataru Endō. On occasions, when injuries struck, he even filled in at right-back — and looked completely natural doing so.
That versatility has not gone unnoticed. “He’s a manager’s dream,” one member of Liverpool’s coaching staff told *Anfield Index*. “No matter where you play him, he gives you a seven or eight out of ten. He doesn’t just fill gaps — he makes positions work.”
It is that level of adaptability, combined with his elite-level work ethic, that has made Szoboszlai an automatic starter under both Klopp and Slot. The coaching staff often reference his professionalism as an example to younger players in the squad. His contribution to last season’s Premier League triumph is still held up internally as a benchmark for the club’s standards
Naturally, that consistency and maturity have drawn attention from football’s aristocracy. According to *AS*, both Real Madrid and Manchester City are “closely monitoring” Szoboszlai’s development and contractual situation at Liverpool.
For Real Madrid, this interest aligns with their long-term midfield succession planning. Having successfully integrated Jude Bellingham into their lineup, Madrid remain keen to secure the next wave of dynamic, technically gifted midfielders who can carry the club through the next decade. Szoboszlai’s physical attributes, tactical flexibility, and creative flair make him an obvious candidate.
Manchester City’s interest, meanwhile, is more pragmatic. Pep Guardiola has long admired midfielders who combine vertical energy with intelligent pressing and positional awareness. With Kevin De Bruyne entering the twilight of his career and Bernardo Silva’s future perennially uncertain, City are thought to view Szoboszlai as an ideal stylistic successor — capable of operating as a hybrid between De Bruyne’s creator role and Ilkay Gündogan’s box-to-box presence.
The speculation alone is enough to set alarm bells ringing at Anfield. The club have seen this movie before: a key performer reaches global prominence, elite clubs start sniffing around, and contract negotiations become a delicate dance between financial prudence and ambition.
Currently, Szoboszlai earns around €130,000 per week — a figure that now appears modest when compared to his peers across Europe. In Spain, Jude Bellingham reportedly earns in the region of €400,000 per week at Real Madrid. Bernardo Silva, one of City’s most decorated and consistent performers, takes home around €300,000 weekly.
When placed in that context, Szoboszlai’s current deal looks increasingly outdated. For a player performing at the top level in both the Premier League and European competitions, his wages are far below the benchmark set by players of similar influence.
With two years remaining on his deal after this season, Liverpool face a critical decision. Do they move quickly to secure his future with a significantly improved contract, or risk allowing speculation — and external temptation — to fester?
A senior figure close to the negotiations told *AS* that Liverpool are already preparing a proposal that would tie Szoboszlai to the club until 2030. The intention, they claim, is to “reward his excellent performances and reaffirm his place as a cornerstone of the project.
Another insider emphasized the urgency: “Liverpool know they must be competitive. Dominik could earn double elsewhere without hesitation from the biggest clubs. If they value what he brings, they have to show it now.”
From a financial standpoint, Liverpool operate differently from both Real Madrid and Manchester City. Their self-sustaining model prioritizes balance sheets as much as balance on the pitch. Yet the modern football landscape rarely rewards restraint when it comes to retaining world-class talent.
If Liverpool wish to keep Szoboszlai out of the hands of opportunistic suitors, he will need to be elevated into the upper tier of the club’s wage structure. That means a salary closer to £250,000 per week — placing him just below Virgil van Dijk and Mohamed Salah, but comfortably ahead of other midfielders in the squad.
Such a commitment would not only reflect his market value but also reinforce his growing leadership role within the dressing room. At 25, Szoboszlai represents both the present and the future of Liverpool’s midfield identity.
Those close to the player suggest that he is not agitating for a move, but rather seeking clarity. He is settled in the city, enjoys a strong relationship with the coaching staff, and appreciates the trust placed in him by both Klopp and Slot. Yet, as one source put it, “Dominik wants to feel valued — not just in words, but in the contract.”
The club’s decision-makers are fully aware of the optics. A swift and substantial renewal would not only secure Szoboszlai’s services but also send a clear message that Liverpool remain capable of protecting their best assets even in an era of financial giants.
Liverpool’s summer of 2023 was defined by a radical midfield overhaul. Fabinho, Henderson, Keita, and Milner all departed, making room for a new generation built around energy, versatility, and technical quality. Szoboszlai quickly became the centerpiece of that rebuild.
His arrival was seen as symbolic — the embodiment of Liverpool’s modern recruitment philosophy: data-driven, forward-thinking, and adaptable. The club had tracked him since his Salzburg days, impressed not only by his technical ability but also by his leadership qualities as a young captain for both club and country.
That foresight has paid off handsomely. In two years, Szoboszlai has developed into one of Europe’s most complete midfielders. His statistical output rivals the best in his position: high progressive carries, elite chance creation numbers, and exceptional defensive work rate. It’s no surprise that global analytics platforms now place his estimated market value north of €100 million.
The question, therefore, is not whether he deserves a new deal — but whether Liverpool can afford to delay it
History offers lessons. Liverpool’s handling of contract renewals in recent years has often been cautious to a fault. The drawn-out negotiations with Mohamed Salah, the uncertain conclusion to Sadio Mané’s time at the club, and the eventual departure of Georginio Wijnaldum all serve as reminders of how quickly situations can deteriorate when momentum is lost.
Fans have grown wary of déjà vu. The longer Szoboszlai’s situation remains unresolved, the louder the noise from Madrid and Manchester is likely to become. Supporters know that in the high-stakes ecosystem of modern football, perception is power. The mere suggestion of vulnerability can embolden rivals.
From the club’s perspective, timing is everything. Tie him down too soon, and they risk overcommitting if his form dips. Wait too long, and they risk alienating one of their most valuable assets. The ideal scenario is a middle ground — a new contract agreed privately and announced at a moment of strength, reinforcing unity rather than panic.
From a Liverpool supporter’s perspective, this saga evokes mixed emotions. On one hand, there is immense pride. Everything fans hoped Szoboszlai would become when he arrived has materialized — and perhaps even exceeded expectations. His drive, creativity, and leadership on and off the pitch make him a perfect representative of the club’s ethos.
On the other hand, there is anxiety. The modern game has shown that loyalty is often transactional. Real Madrid and Manchester City are not just competitors on the pitch; they are predators in the market. The mere mention of their interest can unsettle even the most composed clubs.
Supporters have witnessed these patterns before — long, drawn-out renewal sagas that invite unwanted headlines and speculation. The hope this time is that Liverpool act decisively.
When *AS* highlighted the disparity between Szoboszlai’s wages and those of players like Bellingham, Musiala, or Bernardo Silva, it resonated deeply with the Anfield faithful. They recognize that rewarding your best player is not financial indulgence; it’s competitive necessity.
In an era defined by mega-clubs hoarding talent, keeping your cornerstone performers happy is the true sign of ambition. Liverpool’s challenge is to prove that they can still do that — even in a market tilted heavily in favor of financial superpowers.
For his part, Szoboszlai has handled the growing noise with trademark composure. Known for his professionalism, he has publicly expressed his commitment to Liverpool on several occasions. “I’m focused on the present,” he told a Hungarian broadcaster last month. “I love playing for this club, and I want to help us get back to the top.”
Sources close to the player echo that sentiment. They describe him as settled in Merseyside, with a strong sense of belonging within the squad. His close friendships with Dominik Szoboszlai’s fellow central midfielders, particularly Alexis Mac Allister and Curtis Jones, have made his integration seamless.
Still, as one insider noted, “Dominik is ambitious. He’s not the type to demand anything, but he knows his worth.” That quiet confidence is precisely what makes him the player he is — relentless in pursuit of excellence, on and off the pitch
Beyond the immediate contract implications, Szoboszlai’s situation serves as a litmus test for Liverpool’s long-term competitiveness. If they want to reestablish themselves as genuine title contenders, they cannot afford to lose players who form the core of their tactical and cultural identity.
Under Arne Slot, Liverpool are entering a new strategic phase — one defined by modernization, tactical fluidity, and squad balance. Szoboszlai is central to that vision. He is the connective tissue between defense and attack, between old and new, between Klopp’s intensity and Slot’s positional control.
Losing him, or even appearing vulnerable to losing him, would undermine that evolution. Keeping him — with a contract that reflects his true status — would symbolize intent. It would say to the footballing world: Liverpool are not a selling club; they are still a destination
As things stand, there is no immediate crisis. Szoboszlai remains fully committed, Liverpool remain optimistic, and negotiations — while delicate — are moving in the right direction. But football rarely rewards complacency.
The coming months will be crucial. Liverpool must navigate the balance between financial sustainability and competitive ambition. They must act decisively, not reactively. The lesson of recent seasons is clear: delay invites danger, and silence breeds speculation.
In the end, the Szoboszlai saga is not just about one player’s contract. It’s about Liverpool’s identity in the modern era — about whether the club can still match its traditions of excellence with the financial muscle now required to keep pace with Europe’s elite.
For now, supporters can take solace in one fact: Dominik Szoboszlai is a Liverpool player, and every performance he delivers reinforces why the club should move heaven and earth to ensure that remains true for many years to
