Liverpool legend compares Szoboszlai to Gerrard - but says he'd struggle at City

That is the view of club icon John Barnes, who believes the 'incredible' summer signing has been the Merseyside outfit's 'best player' so far this season.

The 22-year-old has earned rave reviews since the Reds activated his £60million release clause at RB Leipzig in July.

Featuring in 17 out of Liverpool's 18 matches in all competitions so far this term, he has chipped in with two goals and as many assists.

And the Hungary international will be hoping for another dazzling display when Jurgen Klopp's side face Premier League leaders Manchester City at the Etihad in Saturday's 12.30pm kick-off, live and exclusively on talkSPORT.

Szoboszlai is part of a new-look Liverpool midfield, who parted ways with Fabinho, Jordan Henderson, Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain, Naby Keita and James Milner at the end of the last campaign.

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Along with the former Red Bull Salzburg maestro, Liverpool also brought in Alexis Mac Allister, Ryan Gravenberch and Wataru Endo.

But it is Szoboszlai that has impressed Barnes the most, as he insisted Klopp's style of play is getting the best out of him, whereas if he was at either Arsenal or Manchester City, he would struggle.

Speaking of the player during his appearance on the Hawksbee and Baker show, Barnes said: "Szoboszlai has been incredible.

"I'd kind of heard about him before, but I've never see him and that's how good the scouting is, because Liverpool sign players who will suit the way Liverpool play.

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"I don't think he'd suit Man City or Arsenal, and he probably wouldn't go there!

"But when he came, having never heard of him, from the first time I saw him, he was just incredible, he could play anywhere.

"He reminds me of Steven Gerrard to a certain extent, because you don't necessarily get box-to-box midfield players who can defend, who can attack, but that's what he does.

"I've been so impressed with him and he's level-headed, he's 22, he's been fantastic. He's been our best player."

talkSPORT host and ex-Crystal Palace chairman Simon Jordan believes that Liverpool are more exciting to watch than Pep Guardiola's City side.

And Barnes, who was asked whether he's enjoyed watching the team so far, believes this is due to Klopp's signings, as he added: "Absolutely! We had our midfield issues last year.

"Of course we knew we had to address them, but the good thing about Jurgen and the trust we have in Jurgen, is that he resisted the urge to sign players just for the sake of it in January, because we needed midfield players.

"And the fans put up with trying to get the right people in, which is what we've now done.

"We're still looking at a No6, [Wataru] Endo has come in, and [Stefan] Bajcetic has been earmarked for that role, but he's injured, but in terms of everyone else, it's fine.

"I understand what he's [Jordan] talking about, because if you look at City, they play a very purist style of football, possession-based, very considered.

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"Whereas I would say Liverpool is a mix between City and the way football was 20 years ago - aggressive - where midfield players would get up box-to-box to try and fight."

He added: "It's a very exciting brand of football, but you have to say Manchester City is a fantastic team."