Dominik Szoboszlai has explained the influence that Liverpool legend Steven Gerrard had on his choice to take the no.8 jersey upon signing for the club. Liverpool defender started 'drinking and smoking' before red cards and angry falling out with manager after mystery illness I was petrified’ - Liverpool star went from Champions League heartbreak to tearful exit as a club legend When I was a child, to be honest I didn’t watch that much football but of course when it was Champions League or a big game, I was watching Liverpool, the big teams and also the big players – and he was one of the biggest." In previous interviews, the striker has said that the inkings on his right arm represent his parents and family members.

He said: "After tattooing this piece and through conversations with Javi, the club started to interest me.

Register and get immediate access to:

The club’s first insignia was the coat of arms of the city of Liverpool. The artwork depicts Neptune, the Roman god of freshwater and the sea, and Triton, the Greek deity and messenger of the sea. They are flanked by two Liver birds, or cormorants, with the Latin words “God has granted us this ease” underneath. I was so angry that I didn’t listen' - Liverpool midfielder blamed social media for exit that left him in tears

Chief among the Dane’s frustrations at his treatment was the fact he had twice turned down moves to Barcelona after seeking assurances from the Northern Irishman he was part of his plans. The Catalans had been keen to sign him during the two previous summers, with Manchester City also wanting to take him to the Etihad. “Whenever I had a good offer to go, I told Brendan that if he didn’t see me as part of his plans I’d leave but if he wanted me to stay then I’d fulfil my contract”, Agger said. “I loved being at Liverpool. My family loved it there. But if Brendan had said to me he wasn’t 100 per cent sure I would have gone. Brendan said he wanted me there but I don’t think he really did. How close was I to Barcelona? I had the contract in front of me. I just needed to put the signature on it. I could have done it as Liverpool actually agreed a price with Barcelona and I accepted my terms. I remember I had to go down in salary but I was fine with that. He'd go on to establish himself as a huge Liverpool fan favourite, spending eight and a half years with the club. This includes pictures of both his mother and father and a message in German that translates into English as "Family unending love". Read More Related Articles Agger himself knew he would have his work cut out to displace the central defensive duo who had marshalled Benitez’s side to European glory only months before but was keen to follow in the footsteps of fellow Dane Jan Molby who had established himself as one of Liverpool’s most popular overseas imports two decades earlier. "My aim is just to become a better player and win trophies and I hope Rafa can help me do that”, he said. “It is a big job to displace Jamie and Sami from this team but that is my job and I will fight for my place. I know it will be difficult to break into this team, they are the champions of Europe. I am aware of my countryman Jan Molby being at Liverpool. I know how good a player he was and what a great hero he was here, but if I can do anywhere near as good as him here I will be happy." This new design contained the words ‘Liverpool Football Club’ for the first time, as well as a shift toward the shield form that has since been a mainstay of the club’s emblem. This variation existed previous to its placement on the 1987-88 season’s kit.The Hungary international also revealed a special link Gerrard, when asked by the club why he opted to take no.8. As rumoured on social media, Szoboszlai confirmed that he has a tattoo inspired by the Liverpool legend on his arm. Shut your mouth' - Steven Gerrard dressing room incident made Liverpool star 'melt' after dream Anfield return

My head went as my hero was battering me' - Kenny Dalglish scathing phone message to Liverpool defender who proved him wrong Have you seen a better Reds tattoo? Let us know in the comments below or send your pics to [email protected] READ MORE: 'We can say that' - Jurgen Klopp makes surprise admission in open assessment of Liverpool slump Not only has he been giving tattoos but he's also been adding to his own extensive and creative collection. But after retiring from football in 2016 at the age of 31, the former defender took his artistic passion to new heights.There is more of an awareness now of the damage caused by the cortisone injections many players of the 1960s and 70s used to regularly take to get them through games, with many suffering severe mobility problems in retirement as a result, but there is perhaps a misguided perception that in the modern game with all the sports science and top-level medical expertise involved that players can now continually smash through their physical limits without consequence. It was 15 years ago today that Liverpool signed a young Danish defender by the name of Daniel Agger.

With no.8 still vacant, Szoboszlai wasted no time claiming his new jersey, and there was none more perfect than the eight due to his likeness to the Reds' former captain, both having played as a right midfielder in their younger years and the new signing likely to follow in his predecessor's footsteps by converting to central midfield. LONDON, ENGLAND - FEBRUARY 06: Fernando Torres of Chelsea is challenged by Daniel Agger of Liverpool during the Barclays Premier League match between Chelsea and Liverpool at Stamford Bridge on February 6, 2011 in London, England. (Photo by Laurence Griffiths/Getty Images)People talk about the Chelsea semi-finals but the last-16 tie against Barcelona was the best atmosphere I ever experienced at Anfield”, he told the Athletic. “That was one of the best Barca teams ever with Ronaldinho. They had won the Champions League the season before but somehow we managed to win 2-1 over there. I remember Carra and me looking at each other in the Camp Nou after we went 1-0 down and thinking, ‘This could be bad’. Carra and me complemented each other well. We were different types but we had a similar attitude and winning mentality. You could always rely on Carra. As a young player settling into a new team it was good to have someone like him alongside me. Football isn’t about what’s your top level, it’s about what’s your bottom level and his was very high. The noise at Anfield when we walked out for the second leg against Barca, I’d never felt anything like that. I saw in the faces of their players that they were thinking the same.”