In Focus: Stylish Szoboszlai leading Liverpool resurgence

Dominik Szoboszlai has not taken long to settle at Anfield.

Few players have made such an immediate impact in their first Premier League season, with the midfielder already an influential figure for Liverpool.

He impressed again last weekend as the Reds beat Nottingham Forest 3-0 to stay in touch with the then league leaders Tottenham.

Ahead of today's clash with Luton, we take a closer look at Szoboszlai's start to life on Merseyside.

Creative spark

Szoboszlai registered two assists against Forest — cutting the ball back for Darwin Nunez to tap in and then playing a superb long-range pass for Mohamed Salah to latch on to.

But Hungary's captain had already demonstrated his vision and intelligence on countless occasions, before his first assists in a Liverpool shirt earned him some more well-deserved recognition.

Prior to this weekend, Szoboszlai ranked joint-fourth in the Premier League for chances created (25).

Meanwhile, only three players — Enzo Fernandez, James Maddison and Bruno Fernandes — had attempted more passes into the final third than his 217.

Szoboszlai has also made an impact off the ball, ranking fourth in the division for possessions won in the middle third (37) after Matchday 10.

Fan favourite

Liverpool's midfield has been revitalised by the arrival of Szoboszlai.

There were concerns last season about an ageing squad, with the likes of Jordan Henderson, Thiago, James Milner and Fabinho making up Jurgen Klopp's central options.

Szoboszlai, along with Alexis Mac Allister, has added energy and real quality — and at 23, there should be plenty more to come.

His form has been so impressive that he has even been likened to Reds legend Steven Gerrard.

Reacting to that comparison, he said: "I want to do my own way but of course it feels good if they say I am the new Gerrard.

"It's nice to have the No8 shirt because really great players played in it. I just want to continue.

"I am here to help the team, I am not here to reach something alone. I want to win trophies, I want to win everything and make us proud and make the fans proud and put Liverpool back again where they deserve to be.

"I can improve in everything. I am not a finished player. If you think this is your best prime, it is not. I can do even better."

Complete package

Despite spending much of his young career as a No10, Szoboszlai has proved equally adept in deeper areas of midfield for the Reds.

No Liverpool player has completed more passes (559) or had more touches (839) this season.

Though the 36-cap international's talent was obvious at RB Leipzig, his ability to dictate games might have surpassed even Klopp's expectations.

Szoboszlai's importance is highlighted by the fact that he is the only outfield squad member to have played all 900 minutes in the Premier League this term.

After the Forest win, Klopp said: "The boy [Szoboszlai] is a joy to watch with how much he loves to play and how mature he is on the pitch.

"You need players that understand the game and he definitely does."

If the Merseysiders' midfield maestro continues where he left off at Kenilworth Road, Liverpool will be confident of picking up another victory.