The Merseyside derby never fails to deliver passion and drama, and Sunday’s clash at Anfield was no different. Liverpool edged Everton 2–1, but what truly stole the spotlight came after the final whistle. Everton captain Séamus Coleman—renowned for his grit and honesty—openly praised a Liverpool player who left him stunned.
Speaking with genuine respect, Coleman admitted:
“Even though we lost at Anfield, to be honest, I’ve never faced such a fiercely aggressive player in my career today. He deserves every bit of credit.”
To the surprise of many, Coleman wasn’t referring to Mohamed Salah or in-form Hugo Ekitike. Instead, his admiration was directed at Dominik Szoboszlai, the Hungarian midfielder who dictated the game with relentless energy, composure, and fearless attacking intent.
Szoboszlai was everywhere—surging forward, battling for every ball, and orchestrating Liverpool’s attacks with sharp vision and precision. His intensity left Everton struggling to cope, with Coleman himself visibly drained after chasing him for 90 minutes.
Even Everton’s manager echoed the praise in his post-match remarks:
“Sometimes you just have to acknowledge when an opponent is operating on another level. His intensity and quality caused us endless problems.”
The Anfield crowd chanted Szoboszlai’s name throughout the match, while fans online hailed him as the “heartbeat” of Arne Slot’s system. One supporter wrote: “This guy isn’t just a midfielder—he’s a warrior. We haven’t seen this kind of drive since Steven Gerrard.”
For Coleman—who has faced world-class attackers throughout his career—to single out Szoboszlai speaks volumes. This derby may not only be remembered for Liverpool’s win, but also as the moment Szoboszlai firmly established himself as one of the Premier League’s most feared midfielders.
Even the Everton coach could only applaud him.
