Done deal: Liverpool agree to sign the next Dominik Szoboszlai | OneFootball

Liverpool have announced the signing of the club's next Dominik Szoboszlai.

If the Reds had more players with the Hungarian's attitude and commitment, last season might have looked very different.

The Hungarian was one of the few consistently outstanding performers in a difficult campaign.

While others had struggled to impose themselves, Szoboszlai set the standard with his relentless work rate, intensity and determination.

Every time he stepped onto the pitch, he played with the kind of hunger supporters expect to see from anyone wearing the Liverpool shirt.

The Hungarian has now signed a new deal with the club and he is pretty much on the way to becoming an Anfield icon.

His influence stretches far beyond effort alone.

Szoboszlai has delivered in big moments, controlled games from midfield and repeatedly produced performances that have dragged Liverpool forward when they needed someone to take responsibility.

What makes him even more valuable is his remarkable versatility. Injuries have forced Liverpool to reshuffle throughout last season, yet whenever asked to fill in at right-back, Szoboszlai has done so without complaint.

Five Player of the Month awards tell their own story, and few would bet against him adding more before the season ends.

Years ago, Anfield rang with chants calling for a team full of Carraghers. In 2026, Liverpool supporters could just as easily dream of a squad filled with Dominik Szoboszlais.

Well, that dream could be a lot closer.

Over the course of the last year or so, Liverpool have expanded their scouting network across the globe. The club's Head of Global Talent Matt Newberry has played a key role in this process.

Under his guidance Liverpool have signed Armin Pecsi, and have recruited Mor Talla Ndiaye and Ifeanyi Ndukwe.

The former two have already showcased their brilliance for the U21s last season, meanwhile the latter is now on the tour with Liverpool's first-team in the United States.

All are very highly regarded in their positions and were signed for very low fees.

Liverpool have clearly made a huge effort in recent months to accelerate their recruitment in this area. The club are in talks with several other exciting young players, including the likes of Diego Pelembe and Andria Bartishvili.

And they have also completed the signing of another gem in the process.

Liverpool confirmed on Tuesday afternoon that they have agreed a deal to sign Samuel Martinez.

The 17-year-old is an exciting Colombian star who was brilliant at the U17 Copa America earlier this year.

He won't be arriving at Liverpool any time soon, though. Martinez will have to wait until he turns 18-years-old to be eligible to move to Anfield as per current FIFA rules.

His birthday is in April and he'll be able to move to the club in the next transfer window after his 18th birthday so this will be the summer of 2027.

So, the club is going to have to wait for him. In the meantime he is expected to stay his current club Atletico Nacional where he plays for their U20 team.

Nonetheless, this is a really exciting transfer and while many have likened him to Kaka, Martinez is actually a bit of a Szoboszlai regen - particularly because of his work ethic.

He plays in the same position, deployed as a no.8 or no.10 and he has the same sort of gait and ability to carry the ball forward with ease.

He averaged 7.23 dribbles per 90 minutes at the U17 CONMEBOL and completed 62.5% of his attempts.

He also averaged 3.25 progressive runs per 90, which was the second highest among midfielders.

Martinez is a very creative player and loves to make an impact around the edge of the penalty area. Standing at 1.84 metres, he is already quite tall and there is a belief that he could become a no.8 rather than a no.10 in the future.

His defensive work-rate is top notch, he averaged over seven defensive duels per 90 minutes in the U17 Copa America and won close to 60% of them.

It's that movement and his brilliant footballing IQ that will have appealed to Liverpool, and it's why the Reds could now be signing the next Szoboszlai.