Liverpool midfielder Dominik Szoboszlai focused on 'creating his own story' amid Steven Gerrard comparisons after FA Cup win over Brighton

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Dominik Szoboszlai insisted he is focused on "creating his own story" after continuing his fine goalscoring form in Liverpool’s 3-0 FA Cup fourth-round victory over Brighton & Hove Albion, delivering a performance that prompted comparisons on TNT Sports with club great Steven Gerrard. Szoboszlai scored his 10th goal of the season after Curtis Jones' opener before Mohamed Salah's penalty sealed it.

Highlights: Liverpool dispatch Brighton to march into fifth round

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Dominik Szoboszlai is focused on "creating his own story" after the midfielder continued his rich vein of goalscoring form in Liverpool's 3-0 FA Cup fourth-round win over Brighton, which drew comparisons on the TNT Sports gantry with club icon Steven Gerrard.

Mohamed Salah scored and provided an assist as The Reds brushed aside their opponents at Anfield to put their name in the draw for the fifth round, which takes place on Monday, live on TNT Sports and discovery+.

The hosts went ahead in the first half through Curtis Jones before Salah turned provider after the break, setting up Szoboszlai to thunder home at the end of a sweeping move.

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Ten minutes later, Salah was brought down in the box and the Egypt international emphatically dispatched his penalty beyond Jason Steele to put the tie beyond doubt.

TNT Sports commentators Darren Fletcher and Ally McCoist heaped praise on Szoboszlai, with the latter saying that he was in the running for the man-of-the-match award before opting for Jones.

The pair agreed that the Hungarian is having a "Steven Gerrard season", having scored his tenth goal of the campaign in all competitions, but the 25-year-old would not be drawn to such high praise.

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Szoboszlai told TNT Sports: "I'm not playing a Steven Gerrard season, although he was a legend for the club. I just try to do my own story and I try to do my best every game. Hopefully we can go on until the end.

"I don't score every time, but the last couple of times, it's been fine! I just want to keep going and score as many as I can."

Szoboszlai's heat map against Brighton

Image credit: Opta

Salah: Szoboszlai one of best midfielders in world

Brighton showed flashes of threat but paid the price for failing to take their chances and have now won just two of their past 15 matches.

Liverpool have responded well to last Sunday’s defeat by Manchester City, following it up with an impressive midweek win at Sunderland and another assured display against The Seagulls.

Despite their struggles this season, there remains plenty of life in their campaign - and indeed there were flashes of the old Salah as he won and converted a penalty to seal the victory.

'One of the best players in the world' - Salah hypes team-mate Szoboszlai after Brighton display

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After scoring only his second goal in his last nine appearances, and ninth in his last 36 games for Liverpool, Salah told TNT Sports: "There was pressure, for sure [on his penalty] but I'm pleased we managed to win today, it was very important for us to build confidence for the upcoming games.

"It's going to depend on his [Szoboszlai's] performance [if Liverpool win the FA Cup again], because we rely on him so much this season. He's one of the best players in the world right now and I wish he can carry on like this.

"It's great to win trophies, it's good for everyone, and hopefully we can do it again."

Szoboszlai's touch map shows the ground he covered against Brighton

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How Gerrard's advice helped Szoboszlai become 'full package'

Szoboszlai's strike after 56 minutes gave Liverpool breathing space after Jones' opener and his goal was the pick of the bunch as he capped a fine team move.

Only Hugo Ekitike (19) has more goal involvements in all competitions this season for Liverpool than Szoboszlai's 17 (10 goals, seven assists) and most of his contributions have been at significant moments.

Steve McManaman told TNT Sports: "He is in great form. If you're thinking of the right person for it to fall to who can hit it like he does. Mo is saying he is the best midfielders in the world right now which is a high accolade in itself.

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"He's been Liverpool's best player this year."

Former Brighton and Liverpool midfielder Adam Lallana added: "He's a big-time player. I heard Stevie [Gerrard] talking about how he's a top player but, to get to the next level, he needed to bring a few more goals and assists to his game.

"In recent weeks, we've seen that. It's not just his output with the ball. Without it, he's always willing to step, run and be tenacious. He's the full package at the moment."

Jones: We've been clicking for a while

Jones said Liverpool’s performance ticked all the boxes, highlighting the quality of their three goals and the importance of keeping a clean sheet.

The midfielder said he is currently playing some of his best football, even if he has enjoyed more prolific spells in the past, and stressed his desire to contribute in any way possible.

Emphasising his versatility, Jones explained he is willing to fill in wherever head coach Slot requires, having operated at full-back on the day. And he believes the squad’s growing chemistry - both on and off the pitch - will soon translate into more consistent results.

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"It was a good game," Jones told TNT Sports. "We scored three very good goals and a clean sheet as well and that is all you can ask for.

"There have been times I’ve scored more but not played as well as I am now. I just want to play well, help the team as much as I can. I am fortunate enough to be in a team with lads that can score goals. The more times I can score I’ll try, the better.

"I’m a footballer. I’m a centre midfielder, I want to assist, score and help the team but if the manager needs me to play as a centre half or as a full-back or striker I'll go and do it and try my best. Today I was in as a full-back, I scored and helped the team so I am happy.

"I think we have clicked for a while. It is a season that has obviously not been as good as we'd have liked. You can't go into every game and expect to win. I think the team has gelled and off the pitch there is a good bond as well. It is a matter of time before we kick on again.

"I want to win everything. I know what the fans expect. I know what it is like to play for a team like this, you have to win things."

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Slot: FA Cup almost as hard as Champions League

Slot highlighted the quality of Liverpool’s second goal as the standout moment of the evening, while also praising Alisson’s crucial save and warning that the contest was tighter than the scoreline suggested.

The Liverpool manager argued that the FA Cup can be as demanding as the Champions League given the level of opposition involved, while the Dutchman believes his squad has made significant strides in recent months, physically and tactically.

Slot told TNT Sports: "I would almost say the FA Cup is just as hard as the Champions League because it's almost all the same teams - except for PSG, Real Madrid, Barcelona, Bayern Munich, Inter Milan and some others. A lot of Premier League teams are in the Champions League as well as the FA Cup.

Mohamed Salah celebrates scoring his penalty

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"The margins are small, but it's fair for me to say this team has made proper development in the last couple of months. When there's been a game every three days, we have struggled to bring the same intensity, but that is now at a far better level.

"The players have adjusted and the team seems fitter. It didn't always feel like we could compete, but now they are adjusted and you can see what this team can do.

"These players are young. Most of them, not all of them. Most of the signings are really young. There's a lot more to come. They need to adapt to a new country, a new league and playing at a higher intensity. Dominik Szoboszlai is a perfect example of that when you look at his past two and a half years coming from the Bundesliga. The future looks bright."

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