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Declan Rice waxes lyrical about 'unbelievable Liverpool star as world's best

Arsenal midfielder Declan Rice has named 'unbelievable' Liverpool star Dominik Szoboszlai among the world's best, offering glowing praise for the Reds midfielder

Dominik Szoboszlai of Liverpool looks on during the Carabao Cup Third Round match between Liverpool and Tottenham Hotspur
Declan Rice named Dominik Szoboszlai as the best free-kick taker in the world

Declan Rice has waxed lyrical about Dominik Szoboszlai, describing the Liverpool star as ‘unbelievable’ and hailing him as the best free-kick in the world.

In the latest edition of TNT Sports' Voice Notes, the Arsenal midfielder was asked by by former Real Madrid and Brazil icon Roberto Carlos who the most gifted free-kick taker is. "I'm probably going to have to say, from what I've seen, [Dominik] Szoboszlai from Liverpool," Rice said.

"The free-kicks he's scored are unbelievable, the way he strikes the ball is unbelievable, his consistency as well. But if I'm saying all-time, I'm going to have to say you [Roberto Carlos], because of that goal against France."

Szoboszlai showcased his free-kick ability with a stunning strike against Arsenal at Anfield in the Premier League last season, further strengthening his reputation as one of football's top set-piece specialists.

However, the Liverpool midfielder still has some way to go to match Carlos' career record. The former Brazil international scored 49 free-kicks for club and country, cementing his status as one of the game's most dangerous dead-ball specialists.

Szoboszlai has endured mixed form so far this season, with the Hungary international taking on greater responsibility for creating chances and contributing goals. However, Liverpool has yet to find the right balance in midfield.

Despite that, the 25-year-old has scored once in the Premier League this term and has also stepped into a new leadership role within the squad.

Liverpool will be without Szoboszlai for a short period after the midfielder suffered an injury setback against Brentford at the weekend.

The Hungary captain started the game after missing the matches against Manchester City and LASK, but Iraola admitted afterwards that he had brought the 25-year-old back too soon. Szoboszlai went down shortly before half-time with a recurrence of the injury he had returned from international duty with, forcing him off and prompting Trey Nyoni to come on in his place.

"It’s not a new injury; I think it’s in the same place it was probably last week," Andoni Iraola explained during his pre-Villarreal press conference at Anfield..

"He hasn’t worsened the injury but probably we have to be a little bit more patient until he recovers fully. But it’s not like something now where he has to wait a lot of time to come back, he is more or less in the same situation he was last week.

"But we need more patience with him, but I appreciate the effort he did the other day, to be available, to want to contribute in a very difficult game that you know is going to be very physical — [against] one of the most physical teams, Brentford. And to put himself in front and to want to play speaks very well about him, yes."

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