Why Liverpool decided they had to sign Dominik Szoboszlai instead of Khephren Thuram

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Liverpool ended their interest in signing OGC Nice midfielder Khephren Thuram after deciding Dominik Szoboszlai was a better option.

The Reds had been really heavily linked with a move for Thuram throughout the summer. But with a transfer never getting past initial talks, Szoboszlai ended up being the man Liverpool spent big on instead.

And according to The Athletic, it was very much a case of one against the other. They claim that there were actually three main reasons why the Reds came down on the side of the Hungarian.

First of all, it’s reported that Szoboszlai’s greater versatility initially gave him the edge. The Athletic claim that the 22-year-old is seen as a potential deputy for Mohamed Salah, and his ability to play in different positions was reportedly seen as being better than Thuram’s.

Another advantage for Szoboszlai is said to have been his experience. Although they’re both the same age, the former RB Leipzig man has played 57 more senior club games than Thuram. He also has 32 international caps to the Frenchman’s one. Liverpool are claimed to have factored this in.

Finally, and this is a bit of a vague one, the Reds reportedly preferred Szoboszlai’s ‘skillset’ over Thuram’s. This could mean a lot of things, but it seems as though they just saw the Hungary captain as simply being a better fit.

Liverpool make Szoboszlai decision

It’s unlikely that too many supporters will argue with Liverpool’s reasoning here. Although plenty were excited about Thuram, Szoboszlai does look like the safer bet.

What is encouraging is that the Reds realised that too. Far too often they’ve been making decisions in the transfer market based on who they can get for the cheapest overall fee.

But on this occasion, it looks like they’ve made the call based on purely footballing reasons. Money didn’t factor into it at all.

That can’t always be possible, of course, but it should be the case more often than not. For Liverpool, it obviously hasn’t been.

Still, the Reds have found success in the market over the last few years regardless. If they can couple that talent identification with a willingness to spend big-ish sums, then they’ll really be on to a winner.

With Szoboszlai, we think they really are. We still think Thuram would have been a really good addition and when he moves on from Nice he’ll surely prove that beyond doubt.

But for right now, Liverpool’s new No.8 looks like the right man at the right time. We cannot wait to see him in action.