The impending transfer of Gabri Veiga to Saudi Arabia may, perhaps, be considered a reminder to decision-makers at Anfield of the necessity of haste in the current window.
Fabrizio Romano confirmed the deal in question (for the formerly Liverpool-linked midfielder) on X on Saturday morning, reporting that ‘documents are signed and sealed’ following a breakthrough on Friday night.
More on exclusive news: Gabri Veiga will travel to Saudi today. All documents are signed and sealed, late night deal now completed. 🟢🔒🇸🇦 #AlAhli https://t.co/8Yn5lbIW45
— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) August 26, 2023
Given that the former Celta Vigo man is considered one of the brightest talents in his age group (at the tender age of 21), any nervousness on the Merseysiders’ part when it comes to other linked targets (say Khephren Thuram and Manu Kone – both 22) would be entirely understandable.
In any event, in light of exclusive news acquired by Empire of the Kop on Friday regarding crunch transfer talks with Bayern Munich over the weekend for Ryan Gravenberch, we’d wonder whether the Saudi threat will hasten any negotiations.
Christian Falk of SportBILD made clear that we are prepared to fork out as much as £20m for the Dutch international, though it’s likely to fall short of the figure bosses at the Allianz Arena have in mind for another of Europe’s most highly-regarded talents.
The need for Liverpool is, of course, by this point not only great but extremely well-documented after a very messy (and visible) failed transfer saga over Moises Caicedo.
Whatever expectations we had over controlling the asking price will, realistically, have to be tempered if we’re to get any further business done and dusted.
‘Absolutely gobsmacked’ – Danny Murphy reveals how Dominik Szoboszlai has proved him wrong at Liverpool
Former Liverpool midfielder Danny Murphy admits he has been left gobsmacked by Dominik Szoboszlai’s impact at Anfield – and revealed the Hungarian reminds him of a young Steven Gerrard.
Szoboszlai made his Liverpool debut during the 1-1 draw with Chelsea at Stamford Bridge earlier this month before turning out at Anfield for the first time on Saturday afternoon as Liverpool came from behind to beat Bournemouth 3-1.
The Hungarian was instrumental as the Reds rallied to victory after Antoine Semenyo opened the scoring at the Kop end after less than three minutes of action. Shortly after Luis Diaz had restored parity with an acrobatic effort, Szboszlai handed Mohamed Salah the chance to put the Reds ahead from the penalty spot when he was fouled by Bournemouth midfielder Joe Rothwell.
Szoboszlai’s Anfield heroics didn’t stop there either, with Liverpool’s new No.8 taking the game to Bournemouth even after Alexis Mac Allister was sent off for a challenge on Ryan Christie – which was later rescinded – as his thunderbolt proved too hot for Cherries stopper Neto to handle and allowed Diogo Jota to follow up from close-range.
Now, after just two outings for the Reds, Murphy admits he has been left gobsmacked by Szoboszlai, who he insists reminds him of a young Steven Gerrard when he saw his breakthrough to Gerard Houllier’s first team in 1998.
Speaking to the ECHO, Courtesy of Full Circle with bet365, Murphy said: “I have to be perfectly honest with you, I’ve been absolutely gobsmacked by how good he is. So I did a bit of work on him looking at his bits, trying to find as much as I could online.
“You know how you don’t get to see too much of the industry and the defensive work, instead you see a lot of the good online, like shots and goals and skills and so you never take it completely for real.
“The highlight reels and bits you can find, they lull you into a false sense of security. So I thought, you know what, where’s he going to fit him in, how is he going to play, is he going to play the three again, is he going to be able to do the defending, or is he just one of those forward-thinking midfielders?
“Trying to get to these conclusions by looking at these different bits. So I worked on the Chelsea-Liverpool game and then I actually watched the Liverpool-Bournemouth game for work as well, I get to watch all the football thankfully. I’ve been absolutely gobsmacked by him.”
Szoboszlai is in line to start against Newcastle United on Sunday afternoon when Liverpool travel to St James’ Park. The 22-year-old is set to start alongside Mac Allister, while the latest midfield arrival of the summer, Wataru Endo, is anticipated to be handed his start for the Reds.
Asked what Szoboszlai can be expected to bring to the table in the North East this weekend, Murphy said: “He’s elegant, yet a powerhouse at the same time. He’s got this physicality that I can only link to what I saw when Stevie came into the team.
“It’s that ability to run through people and past people, but this wonderful elegance of knowing where people are and little delicate touches. Now, I’m not saying he’s Stevie G, but he reminded me of that. The way he runs, that way he flies past people reminded me of him.
“He’s got a bit to go before he can get to Gerrard’s levels, but I tell you what, I don’t know if I’ve somebody come into a team and have as big an impact as he had in the first two games. The first 30 minutes of Chelsea, he smothered them, not just him, but he was the main reason why they could press because of his athleticism.
“Usually in football, you get these really creative technical players or really destructive players. You’re either one or the other, and if you’re pretty good at both, then you’re all of a sudden a bit of a top player. Fortunately, he looks really good at both and that puts him in an elite group.”
He added: “As I said, I’m a bit gobsmacked. I think that I probably shouldn’t be because I know Liverpool’s scouting networks really good. They’ve come up with some great players over the years.
“So I shouldn’t be, but I am. I think his first two games have been incredible, and I’m really excited to see more of him.”