Liverpool are sitting pretty at the top of the early Premier League table during this international break.
Indeed, Arne Slot’s Reds are the only team in the difficult division with a 100% record intact, with the entertainment dialled down somewhat last time out when the reigning top-flight champions just about got the better of Mikel Arteta’s Arsenal 1-0.
Not even new recruit Hugo Ekitike or first-team regular Mohamed Salah would get in on the goalscoring fun against the resolute Gunners, despite both attacking stars in question hitting the ground running in other contests so far this campaign.
How Ekitike & Salah have started this season
Ekitike will be hoping he remains as Liverpool’s focal point heading into games after the international break, despite Alexander Isak now being eager to make his lethal presence known at Anfield in a bumper £125m deal from Newcastle United.
There is an argument to suggest the Dutchman will persist with the former Eintracht Frankfurt centre-forward, with the equally pricey striker – who walked into the building for an initial £69m – already three goals down and counting in his new environment.
It took just 37 minutes for Ekitike to open his Reds account in top-flight action, having previously bagged in the Community Shield against Crystal Palace with merely four minutes on the clock. Safe to say, it’s been a dream introduction to life in the English game for the ex-Paris St. Germain youngster.
Salah hasn’t been quite as jaw-dropping, in contrast, with the Egyptian usually lighting up pitches for fun, as seen in his mammoth 246 goals and 114 assists for Slot and Co.
He has, of course, shown sprinkles of his guaranteed excellence, with a goal and assist next to his name in the bread and butter of the league.
But, the loyal Liverpool servant faded in and out of the tense Arsenal clash, with a weak 32 touches of the ball only seeing him register one lame effort on David Raya’s net.
Still, as much as Luis Diaz and Darwin Nunez are no more at Anfield, Salah is likely to remain as part of the furniture, with his current Reds deal now in play until the summer of 2027.
It’s just that other key first-team presences are enthralling the masses more regularly, with one superstar in Slot’s permanent first-team plans boasting a transfer valuation that exceeds Ekitike and Salah’s high estimations.
Magic Liverpool star is now worth more than Ekitike & Salah
In such a cagey top-of-the-table affair against Arsenal, it was always likely to take an unbelievable moment of individual genius to break the deadlock.
Dominik Szoboszlai would offer just that as the uneventful game was winding down, with his inch-perfect free-kick sending Anfield into raptures to maintain Liverpool’s winning streak.
In truth, the Hungarian ace has consistently produced top-drawer performances for Liverpool ever since sealing a £60m move from RB Leipzig to the Premier League back in 2023, with the “magic” 24-year-old, as he’s been lauded by scout Jacek Kulig, one final parting gift from Jurgen Klopp, before Slot took over proceedings swimmingly.
The much-loved Liverpool number 8 will hope he can continue to deliver sublime individual performances as his side hunts down the glory of back-to-back Premier League titles, with that past £60m valuation also rising off the back of him never looking out of place or nervous during tense contests.
Market Movers
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Rather, he looks to only be getting better, with his sumptuous free-kick against Arsenal proving that.
Games played
72
Goals scored
10
Assists
8
Free kicks scored
5/12
Accurate passes
2814 (87%)
Value when joining
£60m
Value now
£69m
As a result of Szoboszlai growing into being a vital part of Slot’s high-flying team, the Hungarian’s transfer valuation has risen by £9m to £69m, according to Transfermarkt.
On the flip side, Salah, who is now in the twilight years of his career, is worth £43m, with Ekitike’s valuation coming in at the £65m range, too, despite his effortless transition to English shores.
All three players named here will no doubt be key to Liverpool attempting to retain their Premier League pride.
Szoboszlai, in particular, will try to be held in an even higher esteem, with more jaw-dropping free-kicks being put away for fun, giving Slot and Co a great chance at achieving their aims.