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Liverpool Echo
Liverpool Echo
Sport
Stephen Killen

Liverpool could be about to sign £60m man 'as talented as Erling Haaland'

Former RB Salzburg and Leeds United manager Jesse March has previously claimed Liverpool target Dominik Szoboszlai is "as talented" as Manchester City star Erling Haaland.

The Norwegian talisman took the Premier League by storm in his debut season in England as he romped to the golden boot. On his destructive path in the top-flight, he beat the Reds attacker Mohamed Salah's record as the most prolific striker in a season netting 36 times.

Liverpool are exploring the possibility of a deal for RB Leipzig midfielder Szoboszlai as Jurgen Klopp continues to assess his options for a rebuild. Alexis Mac Allister became the first piece of the puzzle after arriving from Brighton & Hove Albion in June while the likes of Khephren Thuram and Ryan Gravenberch are appreciated by chiefs at Anfield.

Szoboszlai, 22, could cost the Reds £60m should they trigger his release clause - but they may have to move quickly with reports suggesting that fixed fee expires as early as June 30.

READ MORE: Dominik Szoboszlai transfer latest as Liverpool meetings and release clause details emerge

READ MORE: Dominik Szoboszlai re-writes Liverpool transfer narrative as James Maddison proves FSG point

Marsch was in charge of the pair during their partnership in Salzburg before Haaland moved onto Borussia Dortmund and Szoboszlai followed the path of many from Austria to RB Leipzig in 2021.

The Hungarian won four Austria Bundesliga titles with the club and claimed the Player of the Year award prior to his move to Saxony. The pair would reunite during the American tactician's short tenure with Leipzig and Marsch previously heaped praise on the Liverpool target.

"As talent goes, there aren't many better players that can play [Szoboszlai's] position. Some are strong, some are technical, some are good tactically, and some can defend well or run a lot," he said.

"However, Dominik is special because he has all of these skills combined. Dominik is just as talented as Erling Haaland."

Should he complete a move to Merseyside, Szoboszlai will go head-to-head with Haaland as the Reds look to challenge Manchester City again. Liverpool will be hoping last season was a blip as they fell off the pace finishing fifth as the Citizens went on to win the treble.

Haaland's influence when he first arrived in Austria was apparent as the Anfield target spoke glowingly of Pep Guardiola's star man. Szoboszlai said: "We're still friends, we still keep in touch. When I joined Salzburg, [Munas] Dabbur helped me the most with the step up into the professional game. I knew how tough it is to settle into the team, even though they are all friendly and try to help.

"They already know each other, so it can be hard to integrate. When Erling joined he was the only new player that summer and everybody else knew each other. I thought to myself that I had been in the same situation, so I was very open to him and helped him with whatever he needed.

"We went out together, even though he doesn't do that much and we also went for food and so on. We became good friends and I helped him get to know the team while he helped me with my English, so we both helped each other."

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