03 July 2023 , 11:47
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Jurgen Klopp personally contacted Dominik Szoboszlai to persuade the Hungary captain to sign a five-year contract with Liverpool.
The Reds announced the signing of Szoboszlai, 22, from RB Leipzig on Sunday. Liverpool activated his £60million release clause after an impressive 2022/23 campaign, which saw him score 10 goals and provide 13 assists to help Leipzig win the German Cup.
Szoboszlai was "very reassured" by Klopp and felt relaxed when the two spoke over a video call. The Liverpool boss has admitted he is "excited" to see his new signing in action next season and will be hoping he can help them challenge for silverware again.
Liverpool won the Community Shield last term but struggled to go far in the other competitions, finishing fifth in the Premier League. They will compete in the Europa League this coming season and will be among the favourites to win that tournament.
Speaking to Hungarian outlet Sportal, Szoboszlai said: "Obviously, I won't reveal what was said during the video call, but I can say that I was very reassured by that conversation.
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"In addition to being one of the best coaches in the world, he is also absolutely overwhelming as a person. He is amazing, it was a kind of chill conversation. We talked as if we had known each other for a thousand years. I can't wait to start working together."
Szoboszlai has signed a five-year contract with Liverpool (Liverpool FC via Getty Images)Are you excited to see Dominik Szoboszlai in action? Let us know in the comments below!
Szoboszlai arrives on Merseyside with a fine CV. He won four Austrian Bundesliga titles and three Austrian Cups during his time with Red Bull Salzburg - winning the league's Player of the Season three years ago - to earn a move to Leipzig in December 2020.
A serious hip injury forced Szoboszlai to wait six months to make his Leipzig debut, but he made up for lost time by winning back-to-back German Cups. He has also won 32 senior international caps and was appointed Hungary's captain at the age of 22.
Klopp told Liverpool's website he was "excited" by Szoboszlai's arrival. He said: "He has made some big strides - moving to Leipzig, doing really, really well in the Bundesliga... captain of his national team at an incredibly young age.
"These are proper positives and this is even before we even think about his qualities as a footballer. I will not say too much about them at this stage except they are definitely the kind which will hopefully bring a lot of enjoyment and also help us to get results.
"There is no pressure, though. Dominik is still a very young player. He has so much development ahead of him and this means it makes sense for us all to be patient and to give him the time and space to allow his talent to come through within our team."
Klopp added: "Everything about this is good news and I am very grateful to everyone at the club who has contributed to making it happen. This is a signing for our present and also for our future and the work that has gone into it could not be more appreciated."