Q&AIn full: Dominik Szoboszlai on new LFC contract, responsibility and ambitions

The midfielder, who arrived from RB Leipzig in the summer of 2023, committed his future to the club today by putting pen to paper on a long-term deal.

A Premier League winner closing in on 150 appearances and the Reds' Standard Chartered Men's Player of the Season in 2025-26, Szoboszlai is far from satisfied with his work on Merseyside at this juncture.

The No.8 assessed his Liverpool career to date and offered reaction to agreeing fresh terms during an exclusive interview, which you can read in full below.

• Win a Liverpool shirt signed by Szoboszlai here

Dom, it's a big day, you've signed a new long-term contract at Liverpool. Congratulations, how does it feel?

Thank you very much. It's maybe my biggest day. But there are a couple in front of it – probably when I signed for Liverpool the first one and when I got my baby, of course. But in my football career, I can say this is in the top three. Very happy. [I] can't wait to go again and again and again. I'm just happy to be here, as I said many times. I'm happy that we come to an end and that we could sign it.

Was it an easy decision for you to make and why is it right for you to commit to Liverpool?

I think it's always easy to make a decision, especially when it comes to Liverpool. When I signed, it was very quick, I said yes directly. But it was always Liverpool. As I said, I'm really, really happy. Also for me, I know this is like a big family and I want to be part of that.

It's already been three years that you've been at Liverpool. How different are you to the person that first walked through the door here in 2023?

It's crazy that three years went really quick. I think I'm a completely different person, completely different player. I think I got better every year and year. Outside of football, I became a father, husband. So, I've been through a lot of changes in the last three years but I think my life is going in a good way. I'm happy about my family, about myself, about the club, about my football. So, I'm really happy.

What's it like off the pitch specifically? As you say, you're a dad now, you're married...

I don't have as much free time like before! But this is normal and I'm really loving it – to be with my daughter, to be with my wife, spend time with them. And also, they help me to be always ready on the pitch and that's, I think, most important.

Were they important in this decision to stay at Liverpool?

Of course. We have a life which we are living since we are here and since my daughter was born. And to change, to find a new house, to get in another country, to get the baby again... so it made it easier, of course.

And you said you feel you're a better player than the guy who walked in here three years ago. Why is that? What do you think you have improved?

I think you improve with the time – you are more experienced. I had two different coaches who I played under and now it's the third one. I learnt from everyone different stuff and I think I needed that. So, I hope now I can put everything on the pitch every time.

As you say, there has been a change here and there's a new head coach. How much are you looking forward to working under Andoni Iraola?

I think he showed it in Bournemouth that [he is] an unbelievable coach. Always competed with us with the most fit team in the Premier League. With the intensity how he wants to play and the knowledge that he has, I think he's an unbelievable coach. I'm looking forward to playing under him.

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Pre-season training started this week. Milos Kerkez told us there's a positive energy around the building. Is that something you've felt too?

Yeah, of course. You come back from the summer holiday, you didn't see the guys for two months, and the old guys who came back from loan: Kostas [Tsimikas], Harvey [Elliott]. So, happy to see them. Everybody is trying to be positive as much as possible, which right now is easy, but we have to keep on going, keep on working hard. This is what we need, I think.

It's fair to say last season was a disappointment for everybody connected with Liverpool, it wasn't what we wanted. How much determination, though, does that give you to put things right this time around?

I think it shouldn't be a pressure, it should be a motivation that you don't want to do the same thing, the same mistakes we have done last season. That's the motivation we have to take. Everybody has to take responsibility, probably the older ones even more, then the younger ones can follow the older ones. We have to become again a team.

We've seen some senior players leave the club this summer, players who have been here for a long time and won everything possible. You said about the younger guys and the older guys. Do you feel there's more responsibility on you now, even though you're only 25?

I think so, yes. I'm 25. As you said, Mo [Salah] left, Robbo [Andy Robertson] left, so our vice-captain left and a club legend left as well. Both of them are club legends. We're going to miss them for sure and now someone else has to step up and if it's me, I'm ready to do it.

On a personal note, you were the club's Player of the Season last season. But you think there's more to come from you this time around again?

There's always more to come. I'm never happy. No, I'm happy with myself but I think I can do even better. I think that's why I'm sitting here, because that pushed me since I was a kid: that it was never enough. And I'm thinking the same now.

It has been an eventful three years for you, a lot has changed and a lot has happened. You said there were two highlights from a football perspective. What are some of the other highlights from the last three years on the pitch?

Obviously winning the Premier League. Winning my first trophy in Wembley, the Carabao Cup, even though I didn't play. To put the Liverpool jersey on for the first time and play at Anfield. To find friends in the team, who are maybe not even here anymore. And to be part of this family.

It is a long-term contract you've signed. What are your ambitions for the next few years here? What do you want to help lead the team towards?

I want to set the example. I want to be an example also for everyone, as much as I can. When I signed, I said I want to win everything. That didn't change for a little moment either. It stayed the same: I want to win everything that is possible in this country, also let's say the Champions League. I'm ready to go for it.

It's a new contract for you and clearly a desire to improve both personally and help the team improve on last season. A few changes here in the summer. What would you say to supporters seeing this interview?

Thanks to them for pushing me last season even more than ever. Just keep pushing us, because we know last season wasn't what they deserve. Keep us pushing forward and we will give you whatever you want.

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