DOMINIK SZOBOSZLAI

He’s a lad from Hungary, captain of his national team at the age of just 22, and now a midfield maestro for Liverpool FC. Dominik Szoboszlai joined the Reds in the summer of 2023 and since his debut against Chelsea FC he has quickly won hearts with his energy, technical ability and thunderous strikes. Born in the town of Székesfehérvár, Szoboszlai started his football journey with Videoton FC before moving to Austria to develop his game. He made his name at RB Salzburg, scoring 26 goals and providing 35 assists in 83 appearances for the club. RB Salzburg is a club with a knack for producing elite talent and the upward trajectory of Szoboszlai continued at RB Leipzig. Whilst there, he won back-to-back DFB-Pokal trophies, scored 20 goals and got 22 assists across 91 games. Since arriving at Anfield, Dominik has become a fan favourite with a knack for lighting up games, including a sensational goal from just outside the box against Leicester City FC in a 3-1 win in the Carabao Cup. Szoboszlai’s signing marked a continuation of a proud Hungarian connection with Liverpool FC, which stretches back to…

ISTVÁN KOZMA

Liverpool’s first-ever Hungarian player, István Kozma was signed in 1992 from Scottish side Dunfermline Athletic FC by Reds manager Graeme Souness. Kozma was a winger, but struggled to make a significant impact at Anfield during a challenging transitional period for the club. In total, he made just 10 appearances in all competitions for the Reds before moving on. Although his Anfield career was short-lived, Kozma holds the distinction of being the trailblazer for Hungarian players at the club and his place in history as Liverpool FC’s first Hungarian import is secure. While Kozma’s time in Red was brief, another Hungarian talent who later passed through the club’s doors en-route to stardom was…

PETER GULÁCSI

A promising goalkeeper signed from MTK Budapest in 2007, Peter Gulácsi spent six years on Liverpool FC’s books. Although he never made a senior appearance for the Reds, Gulácsi made the Liverpool FC bench over 50 times during a period when Pepe Reina was the undisputed number one. Gulácsi gained valuable experience during loan spells at Tranmere Rovers FC, Hereford United FC and Hull City FC before leaving in 2013. He continued his career in Austria with Red Bull Salzburg FC before becoming a key player and captain at RB Leipzig. Gulácsi has since earned over 50 caps for Hungary and became widely regarded as one of the best goalkeepers in Europe. RB Leipzig were also involved when Liverpool FC created another connection with Hungary during a unique period in European football when the Redmen had to play two UEFA Champions League matches at the…

PUSKÁS ARÉNA

In 2021, in the middle of the global pandemic, Liverpool FC found themselves playing not one but two UEFA Champions League games in Budapest’s Puskás Aréna. With travel restrictions preventing RB Leipzig from hosting the Reds in Germany or visiting Anfield, both legs of the Round of 16 tie were staged in Hungary, which had less travel restrictions at the time. Jürgen Klopp’s men rose to the occasion, winning 2-0 in both games. Mohamed Salah and Sadio Mané scored in each leg, with their goals separated by just under five minutes in both encounters. Although the matches were played in an empty Puskás Aréna - named in tribute to Hungarian football legend Ferenc Puskás, a star of the iconic ‘Might Magyars’ - it provided the stage for Liverpool FC to progress in Europe having first visited Budapest in 1966 to face…

BUDAPEST HONVÉD FC

The Bill Shankly boys got a 0-0 draw in the Hungarian capital in the old European Cup Winners’ Cup 3rd round, first leg, before progressing with a 2-0 Anfield win, Chris Lawler and Ian St John getting the goals. The Reds also faced Hungary’s most famous club, Ferencváros, in 1967, 1970 and 1974, failing to win on any of their visits to Budapest and suffering a 1-0 Anfield defeat in January 1968, the Reds’ first ever home loss in Europe. A Bobby Graham winner earned Liverpool FC some revenge in the old European Fairs Cup in 1970, but Ferencváros hold the distinction of ending Bob Paisley’s first season in European competition as Reds boss with an away goals win after a 1-1 draw at Anfield in ‘74 courtesy of a shock 90th minute equaliser from Maté, which couldn’t be overturned in the second leg in Budapest. More recently, Liverpool FC beat Debrecen VSC 1-0 home and away in the UEFA Champions League group stage in 2009/10 with the Reds captained by Steven Gerrard who wore the no.8 shirt that now belongs to…

DOMINIK SZOBOSZLAI

Szoboszlai’s rise to prominence has brought Hungary back into Liverpool FC’s orbit in a meaningful way. As one of the brightest young talents in Europe, he embodies the skill, determination and flair that Hungary’s footballing legacy is built upon. Since joining LFC, Szoboszlai has featured prominently, delivering dynamic midfield performances and is the third Hungarian to make a first-team appearance for the Redmen with Budapest-born goalkeeper Adam Bogdan making six appearances during the 2015/16 season. Szoboszlai’s appointment as Hungary’s national captain aged 22 also reflected his maturity and character, qualities Kopites see week in and week out. Now a cornerstone of the Red’s midfield, Szoboszlai is a key member of Arne Slot’s side and was a prominent performer as Liverpool FC entered December 2024 top of both the Premier League and UEFA Champions League...