Inside Dominik Szoboszlai’s main-character energy season, and the unavoidable Liverpool comparison
Mohamed Salah was speaking from a position of experience and expertise. “He is one of the best players in the world right now,” said a man who could have been described in such terms for much of the past decade. Many a Liverpool player in that time has been asked to eulogise about Salah. Now it may have been a sign of a shift in the pecking order at Anfield that he was being invited to praise Dominik Szoboszlai.
Salah did, and willingly. While, when the Egyptian was dropped in November and the Hungarian took his spot on the right wing, they are friends, and when Szoboszlai has borrowed Salah’s yoga-inspired goal celebration against Barnsley, it was an affectionate tribute. Now, in another role reversal, Szoboszlai has outscored Salah.
Arne Slot has had his disagreements with Salah this season but, without going quite as far as the winger, said: “I think there are a lot of very good-to-elite football players in the world but I definitely agree with Mo that Dom is one of them.”
A statistic may support that argument. Szoboszlai’s latest all-action display came against Brighton in the FA Cup but this season, only Kylian Mbappe has more goal contributions in the Champions League. He has eight, scoring four, assisting four. There are big contributions among them. Szoboszlai has a late winner against Inter in San Siro. He supplied Alexis Mac Allister for the only goal against Real Madrid. He took the corner for Virgil van Dijk’s injury-time decider against Atletico Madrid. He put Liverpool ahead in Marseille.
No wonder, then, that Salah said: “This season we rely on him so much.” There had been, however, a temptation to wonder if his status would slip this season, following the arrival of Florian Wirtz. Instead, he has started every Premier or Champions League game this season, apart from when he has been banned. It was evident Slot liked Szoboszlai in his debut year at Anfield; but it was notable, too, that the head coach said that, to play in midfield for Liverpool, you had to score goals. The Hungarian got too few, eight in 49 then.
“When said that I maybe had to add that you need to run a lot if you play in the midfield for Liverpool,” said Slot now. “But I think what I meant was, as a No.10, you need to produce goals.”
Which Szoboszlai is now doing, but from a variety of roles. He reached double figures for the campaign on Saturday – equalling his best return for RB Leipzig – but the 10th came with a powerful surge from deep as a central midfielder. His spectacular free kicks against Arsenal and Manchester City each came when operating as a right-back. “He hasn’t always played in the No 10 position but is producing more and more goals,” noted Slot.
Part of it stems from his set-piece expertise; so do his assists. Szoboszlai can take free kicks that Salah used to get or corners that, in previous years, would have gone to Trent Alexander-Arnold. He has long struck the ball in a way that exudes class. Now it brings more menace. More excitement, too: when striding forward but outside the box on Saturday, the Liverpool faithful were calling on him to shoot.
When he does, he seems to be turning Liverpool’s goal-of-the-season award into a one-man contest. Their player of the year prize had already felt decided: Szoboszlai again. One comparison with Liverpool’s past could be Danny Murphy, their player of 2002-03 but in a disappointing campaign when too many others underachieved.
Yet the barnstorming run that brought his goal on Saturday and his ferocious long-range shooting are more reminiscent of perhaps Liverpool’s most iconic captain, who was also no stranger to starring as others struggled. “Actually, I am not playing a Steven Gerrard season although he was a legend for the club,” insisted Szoboszlai. “I try to do my own story.”
Everything in it can revolve around him. He seems to have inherited some of Gerrard’s main-character energy. Szoboszlai has gone into overdrive in 2026. In his last nine games, he has five goals, two assists, one goal given away in ridiculous fashion against Barnsley and one red card. He was man of the match at Arsenal and, had Liverpool held on to their lead against Manchester City, probably would have received the award again. He has looked a worthy inheritor of Gerrard’s No 8 shirt.
He may yet get his armband. Szoboszlai looks a leader and a path to the captaincy is opening up. Alexander-Arnold left last summer, Andy Robertson may follow this, perhaps Salah too. Virgil van Dijk has 18 months left on his deal and is 34. Szoboszlai seems a possible successor.
“He is still young,” warned Slot. “He has a lot of attributes already, especially when it comes to leading by example. There is still a step to make in terms of leadership, a voice in the dressing room if I compare him to Virgil, which is completely normal. Virgil is 34 and has seen [James] Milner, [Jordan] Henderson and these players, so it’s really good for Dominik that he sees Virgil.”
But when Salah sees Szoboszlai now, he believes he is watching one of the world’s best players. And that is a sign of what a stunning season the Hungarian is having.
Where to watch USA vs. Sweden women's hockey: Live stream, channel, time, TV schedule for 2026 Olympics semifinal
Where to watch USA vs. Sweden women's hockey: Live stream, channel, time, TV schedule for 2026 Olympics semifinal originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
Team USA has its sights set on a fifth consecutive appearance in the Olympic women's hockey gold medal game, with Sweden the final obstacle in the way.
The Americans and Swedes, both unbeaten at the 2026 Winter Games, face off in a semifinal Monday in Milan.
Team USA has steamrolled through the tournament, averaging more than five goals per game and not allowing a goal since the second period of its tournament opener against Czechia. Sweden has also been stellar, navigating Group B without a loss and downing Czechia 2-0 in the quarterfinals.
The top two goal-scorers in the tournament will go head-to-head as Hannah Bilka of the U.S. and Sweden's Thea Johansson try to add to their tally of four apiece Monday.
Here is everything you need to know about Team USA vs. Sweden at the Winter Olympics, including TV and streaming options for the game.
Where to watch USA vs. Sweden women's hockey: TV channels, live streams
- TV channels: NBC
- Live streams:Peacock
USA vs. Sweden at the 2026 Winter Olympics will air on NBC. The game will also be available to stream on Peacock, which will carry every event of the Milan Cortina Games live.
The NBC-owned streaming service's sports programming features live coverage of NFL Sunday Night Football, the NBA, the Olympic and Paralympic Games, Premier League soccer, Big Ten football and basketball, Notre Dame football, Big East and Big 12 basketball, PGA Tour golf and more.
USA vs. Sweden women's hockey start time
- Date: Monday, Feb. 16
- Time: 10:40 a.m. ET
The USA vs. Sweden semifinal is scheduled to start at 10:40 a.m. ET on Monday, Feb. 16. The game will be played at the Milano Santagiulia Ice Hockey Arena.
USA women's hockey schedule at 2026 Winter Olympics
Thursday, Feb. 5
| Event |
|---|
| Women's Group A: USA 5, Czechia 1 |
Saturday, Feb. 7
| Event |
|---|
| Women's Group A: USA 5, Finland 0 |
Monday, Feb. 9
| Event |
|---|
| Women's Group A: USA 5, Switzerland 0 |
Tuesday, Feb. 10
| Event |
|---|
| Women's Group A: USA 5, Canada 0 |
Friday, Feb. 13
| Event |
|---|
| Women's Quarterfinal: USA 6, Italy 0 |
Monday, Feb. 16
| Time (ET) | Event | TV/Live stream |
|---|---|---|
| 10:40 a.m. | Women's Semifinal: USA vs. Sweden | NBC, Peacock |
| 3:10 p.m. | Women's Semifinal: Canada vs. Switzerland | Peacock, USA (4:15 p.m.) |
Thursday, Feb. 19
| Time (ET) | Event | TV/Live stream |
|---|---|---|
| 8:40 a.m. | Women's Bronze Medal Game | Peacock |
| 1:10 p.m. | Women's Gold Medal Game | USA, Peacock |
USA women's hockey roster 2026
| No. | Player | Team/School |
| 3 | Cayla Barnes | Seattle Torrent |
| 23 | Hannah Bilka | Seattle Torrent |
| 25 | Alex Carpenter | Seattle Torrent |
| 26 | Kendall Coyne Schofield | Minnesota Frost |
| 17 | Britta Curl-Salemme | Minnesota Frost |
| 24 | Joy Dunne | Ohio State University |
| 10 | Laila Edwards | University of Wisconsin |
| 31 | Aerin Frankel | Boston Fleet |
| 6 | Rory Guilday | Ottawa Charge |
| 4 | Caroline Harvey | University of Wisconsin |
| 27 | Taylor Heise | Minnesota Frost |
| 22 | Tessa Janecke | Penn State University |
| 5 | Megan Keller | Boston Fleet |
| 21 | Hilary Knight | Seattle Torrent |
| 30 | Ava McNaughton | University of Wisconsin |
| 37 | Abbey Murphy | University of Minnesota |
| 12 | Kelly Pannek | Minnesota Frost |
| 33 | Gwyneth Philips | Ottawa Charge |
| 16 | Hayley Scamurra | Montreal Victoire |
| 9 | Kirsten Simms | University of Wisconsin |
| 2 | Lee Stecklein | Minnesota Frost |
| 8 | Haley Winn | Boston Fleet |
| 13 | Grace Zumwinkle | Minnesota Frost |
USA women's hockey coaching staff 2026
| Coach | Position |
| John Wroblewski | Head Coach |
| Josh Sciba | Assistant Coach |
| Shari Dickerman | Assistant Coach |
| Brent Hill | Assistant Coach |
| Alli Altmann | Goaltending Coach |
| Melissa Piacentini | Video Coach |
| Ellen Hughes | Player Development |
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Crunch time for Real Madrid's Mbappe-Vinicius partnership
French superstar Kylian Mbappe is poised to return for Real Madrid's Champions League play-off clash at Benfica on Tuesday after resting at the weekend.
The availability of the team's top scorer and best player this season is excellent news for coach Alvaro Arbeloa, but it raises the question of whether Los Blancos lose too much balance when both he and Brazilian winger Vinicius Junior line up in attack together.
That problem is further exacerbated when Jude Bellingham is available too, but the England international is injured and will not feature against Jose Mourinho's side in Lisbon.
All three stars lined up for Madrid in the league phase against Benfica in late January, as Los Blancos fell to a damaging 4-2 defeat that left them facing a play-off round tie against the same opponents.
Mbappe struck twice for Madrid in that match and is the Champions League top marksman with 13 goals.
However Madrid were outplayed and unpicked by Mourinho's side, who secured their own play-off round spot thanks to Ukrainian goalkeeper Anatoliy Trubin's stunning 98th-minute header.
With Mbappe an unused substitute against Real Sociedad on Saturday because of knee discomfort, Vinicius shone as Arbeloa's team ran out comfortable 4-1 winners at the Santiago Bernabeu.
The Brazilian won and converted two penalties in one of his best displays of a mixed campaign.
"Since I've arrived he's had games at a really high level... he's a player who goes beyond the statistics, how he can change a game, condition opponents, the number of players he can attract," enthused Arbeloa.
"He is one of the best in the world, and it is a privilege to coach him."
As Madrid's key attacker against La Real and operating in plenty of space, Vinicius put his stamp on the game.
However he will have to share the star billing with Mbappe at Benfica's Estadio da Luz.
"(Mbappe) is doing very well. Obviously, he has been dealing with these minor issues for quite some time this season," said Arbeloa.
"He is making a great effort every time he steps onto the field, and we have decided not to take risks so that he will be ready to start the match on Tuesday. That will be the case."
- Key question -
Arbeloa has made it clear since replacing Xabi Alonso at the helm in January that he intends to lean on Madrid's star players when they are available.
Alonso's rotation policy and attempt at a meritocracy did not suit some of Madrid's stars and Arbeloa's strategy of keeping them content, from former Madrid coach Carlo Ancelotti's playbook, seems to be working reasonably well so far.
Vinicius's form has risen sharply since Arbeloa's arrival, after a long goal drought impacted Alonso's stint at the helm.
However Ancelotti could not solve the problem either and while the immense quality of Mbappe, Vinicius, Bellingham and co can help Madrid overpower most teams, they can also come undone easily against well-prepared opponents.
Madrid's Galactico gamble between 2000-2006 ended badly, with superstars including Luis Figo, David Beckham and Ronaldo winning limited silverware with the club.
Mbappe and Vinicius have at least said they enjoy playing with each other, and they mesh better now than during the first months after the Frenchman's arrival last season, when they often occupied similar spaces.
Yet with neither particularly fond of pressing or fulfilling defensive duties, it makes life hard for the rest of the team behind them.
After beating Real Sociedad, midfielder Fede Valverde praised the team's grit.
"Everyone worked hard... you could tell that we were defending as a team during the whole game," said Valverde.
Whether they can repeat that against Benfica on Tuesday, and other top opposition down the line, with both Vinicius and Mbappe in the team is the key question yet to be answered.
rbs/jc