Liverpool midfielder Dominik Szoboszlai has insisted that the team's internal discussions must remain behind closed doors, as the reigning champions' alarming slump in form shows no sign of abating.
A Season Unravelling at Elland Road
The Hungarian international spoke out after a chaotic 3-3 draw with Leeds United at Elland Road on Saturday, a result that epitomised Liverpool's turbulent second season under manager Arne Slot. Having stormed to the title last term, the Reds now languish in eighth place in the Premier League table.
The match itself was a rollercoaster. Liverpool raced into a two-goal lead thanks to a brace from striker Hugo Ekitike, only for Leeds to fight back and level. Szoboszlai thought he had snatched a late winner, but Ao Tanaka's stoppage-time equaliser for the hosts delivered a final, crushing blow.
Private Words Amid Public Scrutiny
The disappointing result was followed by explosive comments from star forward Mohamed Salah, who cast fresh doubt on his future and revealed a fractured relationship with Slot. In this heated context, Szoboszlai was keen to draw a line between public and private matters.
"What is in the dressing room stays in the dressing room, it is not for the public," Szoboszlai stated firmly. "We have to manage it, we have to find solutions."
He urged his teammates to engage in some serious self-reflection, adding: "I can always come up with the opportunity on Tuesday or on the weekend again but there are also times where you have to look at yourself. You have to go home and think if you did everything what was possible."
A Call for Collective Responsibility
When pressed on the root cause of Liverpool's dramatic decline, the 24-year-old admitted it was difficult to pinpoint. However, he issued a clear demand for every player to step up and take ownership of the situation.
"It's a good question. It's hard to speak about it," Szoboszlai conceded. "Last year we became champions, now I don't even know what position we are. Every team is doing well and every team wants to win against the champions."
He emphasised that the solution must be a collective effort: "We have to find solutions, we have to show reactions and everybody has to take responsibility. Not always the old guys or the guys that have been here longer, everybody. Everybody has to go on the pitch and show they are ready to fight for this badge."
The pressure is now on for an immediate response. Liverpool face a crucial Champions League tie against Italian giants Inter Milan on Tuesday evening, followed by a Premier League encounter with Brighton & Hove Albion at Anfield next Saturday. How the team manages its private discussions may soon become very public on the pitch.
