Dominik Szoboszlai has explained what has happened with Liverpool contract talks and his thoughts on playing right-back
Dominik Szoboszlai of Liverpool applauds the fans after the Premier League victory against Newcastle United at Anfield on January 31 2026
Dominik Szoboszlai of Liverpool applauds the fans after the Premier League victory against Newcastle United at Anfield on January 31 2026(Image: Gaspafotos/MB Media/Getty Images)
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Dominik Szoboszlai has made it clear he wants to extend his Liverpool career despite contract talks having not yet reached a resolution. But the Hungary international does not envisage himself as a solution to the Reds' ongoing right-back worries this season.
Szoboszlai reprised the full-back role from earlier in the campaign when helping Arne Slot's side earn their first Premier League win of the calendar year by beating Newcastle United 4-1 at home on Saturday evening.
The 25-year-old is now more than halfway through the five-year contract he signed when arriving from RB Leipzig for £60million in the summer of 2023 with Liverpool keen to reward the player for progress that saw him a key figure in last season's title triumph.
And having first revealed a fortnight ago negotiations were ongoing regards a deal, Szoboszlai has signalled a preference of extending his Liverpool stay.
"Nothing yet, to be honest," said the midfielder when asked about any contract developments. "From now on it is not in my hands. It works this way. There is no progression but if the right offer comes then let’s see.
"I am doing my job on the pitch, we will see in the future. It is always there and back and there. Let’s see what happens, hopefully everyone will be happy at the end.
"Do I like it here? Of course, of course. I like the city, I like the club, I like playing with these guys, I love Anfield, I love the fans, let’s see what the future holds.
"It is not on me. I would love to (stay). We will see."
With Conor Bradley out for the season, Jeremie Frimpong sidelined for a few weeks with a groin problem and Joe Gomez missing again with a hip injury, Szoboszlai was pressed into a makeshift right-back role on Saturday.
The player, though, is keen to return to his preferred central midfield role with Liverpool having signalled an intention to bolster their defensive resources by exploring the possibility of taking over Lutsharel Geertruida's loan spell at Sunderland from RB Leipzig for the remainder of the season.
“Not long-term, not even medium-term to be honest in my head," said Szoboszlai when asked if he could be an option at right-back. "As I've said before I'm a midfielder and hopefully our right-back is going to come back from injury and I can get back in the middle.
"But if the team needs me or the coach needs me there I will play and try to give my best but now Wata (Endo) is ready to play, also Curtis (Jones) is ready to play there, so we have quite a few options now.
"I think midfielder is more me than the right-back, I am close to the goal and I can be more dangerous. I feel from the right position I am far from the goal but I am doing everything for the team so we don't concede, that's the most important thing when you play defence, and also help up front with crosses and long balls, whatever the team needs."
Despite being shunted around the team, Szoboszlai has already matched his tally of eight goals for last season and is only two shy of the nine assists he managed in 2024/25.
He has previously stated he would "love" to be captain of Liverpool in the future, and when asked what improvement can come from his game Szoboszlai said: "I am the type of guy who it is never enough for me, I can always be better and better, so there is no limit up there.
"I would like to get as many goals as I can, as many assists and win as many trophies as possible. That's my plan. That's how I grew up and that's how I want to keep going.
"Of course, we have a few leaders in the team with the older guys, they are longer here than a couple of us, and I try to do my job on the pitch, try to help the team and help the new guys and everyone and if I need to step up as a leader then I will."
After Anthony Gordon had given Newcastle the lead on Saturday, a quickfire first-half brace from Hugo Ekitike was followed after the break by goals from Florian Wirtz and Ibrahima Konate to ensure Liverpool came from behind to win a Premier League game for the first time since claiming the title when beating Tottenham Hotspur last April.
And Szoboszlai said: "I think it was very important. We did this season many times, I don't know how many times from 38 games but quite a few times, so it was nice we showed a reaction in front of our fans.
"I thought we wanted it really bad and they were behind us."