Creative Soccer Culture

Talking With Szoboszlai, Hinds and Quansah At The Nike x LFC Winterized Collection Shoot

Refreshing your wardrobe for the colder winter months ahead, Nike have released their Liverpool FC ‘Winterised Collection’, and during the shoot for it we were able to have a quick catch up with Dominick Szoboszlai, Taylor Hinds and Jarell Quansah.

Doesn’t seem like Nike and Liverpool FC could’ve timed the release of their latest ‘Winterised Collection’ much better, what with Storm Bert battering Britain, bringing with it snow, rain and general cold conditions. The collection follows on from the summer’s clothing drop, picking up where it left off to lend a lifestyle hand for winter to supporters the world over (but let’s face it, with their weather it’s pretty well geared up for those in the club’s native land).

The Winterized collection arrives in appropriately muted, winter tones, tying in with the general aesthetics of the club's 24/25 away shirt – the "night forest" (an earthy, dark green colour) and anthracite with accents of washed teal and sail translating nicely for this collection of hoodies, sweaters and jackets – your perfect cold month essentials. As with the aforementioned summer collection, we were once again in attendance at Anfield to shoot some of the stars doing their modelling bit, and in the moments of calm in the chaos, we were able to chat with Dominik Szoboszlai, Taylor Hinds, and Jarell Quansah.

First up, we spoke with Szoboszlai about style and fashion. The dynamic midfielder has become a key component in Arne Slott’s new-look Liverpool and the success that the team have found. Even when he’s covered 30+km in a match, he still looks damn good, and so he’s the perfect candidate when it comes to modelling a new clothing collection.

Would you say you express your personality through your style? How would you describe your taste in fashion?

I like a more relaxed, street style – baggy clothes, hoodies, wide pants, that sort of thing. I'm not into skinny fits. I enjoy finding new trends and seeing how I can express myself through what I wear.

My style has changed a lot since I was younger. I used to wear skinny jeans and things were all a lot more fitted, but my style has evolved a lot since then.

Ultimately, I’m confident in myself, in the way I dress, and in how I present myself. It’s important to be that way and when you’re on a stage like we are, you almost have to be.

It’s getting cold out here – how does that affect your outfits?

Even when it’s cold, I don’t wear a jacket much. I’m more of a hoodie guy. If I go for a walk, I might wear a jacket, but usually, I stick to hoodies. I have a lot of them – but it still never seems like enough!

With so many different nationalities in the dressing room, what's it like seeing everyone's different styles?

It’s great. Some guys care a lot about their style. For example, I wouldn’t wear what Kostas wears, but he’s got his own nice approach. Konaté and Virg have strong tastes too, especially Virg as a leader. I like that everyone’s style is unique.

Szoboszlai was followed up by Liverpool women’s vice captain, Taylor Hinds. Similarly to her Hungarian counterpart, she can run for the full 90 minutes and still look better than we do when we’ve had all morning to groom ourselves. She has a distinctive identity, bolstered by handle on what works for her from a style perspective, and she eased into the questions as naturally as she would take to the pitch.

You've always had a strong sense of style. Are you passionate about what you wear and how you carry yourself?

I like a lot of designers and brands but thanks to Nike, my fashion sense has improved or more like evolved a lot. I enjoy putting different outfits together and looking put-together, even if it’s just for training. Most of my clothes make me feel comfortable, and I enjoy how I present myself, both on and off the pitch.

When preparing for a game, does jewellery play a role in your routine?

Absolutely. I feel more like myself with jewellery on, and for games, I only take it off at the last minute. I’ll wear it through the warm-up, then come in and remove it just before the game. Rings, necklaces, everything – they’re part of who I am, and I just feel better with them on.

It sounds like self-expression is important to you. What are your go-to looks that make you feel confident?

Baggy trousers are a must, along with tight crop tops and maybe a short jacket over the top. I don’t wear T-shirts much – it just doesn’t feel like me. My go-to's are baggy track pants or cargos; they’re comfortable and stylish.

Where do you find style inspiration?

Mainly on Instagram. I don’t have one specific person who inspires me; it’s more about seeing things I like. Shops like Zara and Bershka have styles that resonate with me. If I see something I like on Instagram, I might try to incorporate it into my own style.

Do you find inspiration within the football community?

Definitely. We’re always talking, and if I see something someone’s wearing that I like, I’ll ask where they got it. It’s nice because everyone inspires each other with their style, and we all learn from each other.

Are there any players whose style you admire?

A lot of the girls on my team have great style. Jess Naz from Tottenham, who I used to play with at Arsenal, has a unique and quirky style that stands out. It’s refreshing to see people expressing their personality through what they wear.

Do you like this trend of capturing players’ arrivals?

I think it’s a nice addition. We started doing it this season, and it’s cool to make an effort now and then. In our work environment, we don’t have to wear suits or dress formally, so it’s a great way to express ourselves through what we wear.

What fashion trends do you see among players right now?

Baggy trousers are everywhere. Straight-leg pants and baggy jeans have been in style for a while now. It’s funny to think back to when skinny jeans were a thing – looking at old photos, I wonder why I wore them! Now, it’s all about baggy fits.

As you’ve grown, do you feel your style reflects your confidence and comfort in yourself?

It’s funny…Looking back, I sometimes wonder why I wore certain things, but I think as I’ve matured, I’ve grown more comfortable in my style. Expressing myself comes naturally now, and I don’t worry much about what others think. It’s all about being happy with how I present myself.

Finally, we caught up with Jarell Quansah once again – the defender having been the only player present at both shoots.

Let’s rewind to your time at Bristol. How was it playing for Bristol Rovers? 

I loved every minute of it. The coaching staff were great, and I got the minutes I needed. Going on loan was a real experience. It’s a taste of the raw side of football. It’s more brutal in a way—not that top-level football isn’t real, but you know what I mean. Down there, it’s intense, and you really feel the passion. I think I fell in love with football again while I was on loan. Watching my brother play in League Two with Accrington Stanley and seeing him in the lower leagues—even the Conference North—made me appreciate the game in its purest form. There’s nothing quite like a Saturday 3 PM kickoff, being in the changing room, and feeling that atmosphere.

Seeing how much it meant to everyone to win games at every level opened my eyes. It also made me realize how special it is to be at a big club like Liverpool, where winning trophies is the goal. Lower down, people are so passionate about winning, and at Liverpool, that passion is just on another level.

That’s a very grounded perspective. Going from the Academy to League One and then into a Premier League dressing room, did it feel like completely different worlds? 

I wouldn’t say completely different worlds, but definitely different. In the academy, you're focused on learning and developing your craft, and everyone has their own goals and aspirations. At Bristol, the goal was simply to stay in the league after being promoted from League Two. The focus wasn’t on winning titles or making playoffs but on survival and stability.

At Liverpool, the expectation is to win every game, and with that comes pressure. I was still finding my footing as a player at Bristol, figuring out who I was and where I could go. At Liverpool, I began to understand what I could truly be capable of and focused on implementing that potential.

How do you use fashion and style to express who you are? Is that important to you?

I think it’s a great way to express yourself. When you’re dressed well and feel creative off the pitch, that confidence translates onto the pitch. It gives you a feel-good factor. When you know you look good, it boosts your confidence. For me, it’s all about being happy with my own style and embracing that individuality.

Are there players who inspire you with their creativity off the pitch?

Absolutely. Players like Trent and Virg come to mind—they have such strong styles. Even Kostas, with his unique sense of fashion. It’s interesting to see everyone’s different approaches to style and creativity.

I bet you see all sorts of styles in the dressing room…

For sure. Everyone’s from different backgrounds, and what’s normal to them can be completely new to us. But it’s refreshing to see people willing to express themselves and be authentic.

How does Nike as a brand reflect who you are?

I think Nike represents a lot of what I’m about. They’re always building on what they’ve done, creating new things, and embracing variety, which I love. I listen to a wide range of music, and I like having options.

Speaking of music, what was the last song you listened to?

Just on my way here, I was listening to "Zombie" by The Cranberries. My music taste is all over the place. It just depends on my mood. I can go from Italian music to Afro-Caribbean sounds, depending on how I feel that day.

And with that, it was time to wrap it up and wrap up, as we exited stage left to the plummeting temperatures.

Shop the Nike x LFC Winterized Collection at nike.com and store.liverpoolfc.com

Author
Daniel Jones

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