Liverpool midfielder Dominik Szoboszlai has publicly apologised following a costly and unusual error during his side's FA Cup third-round victory over Barnsley, an incident branded as 'disrespectful' by the opposition manager.
A Costly Moment of Flickery
Despite a convincing 4-1 win for the Reds at Anfield on Saturday, the match was marred by a strange moment from the Hungarian international. Chasing back to halt a Barnsley attack late in the first half, Szoboszlai attempted an audacious flick just three yards from his own goal while under pressure. The misjudged trick presented Barnsley's Adam Phillips with an open net to tap into, momentarily making the score 2-1.
The goal came after Szoboszlai had earlier opened the scoring with a spectacular 35-yard strike, with Jeremie Frimpong adding a second. Late goals from substitutes Florian Wirtz and Hugo Ekitike eventually sealed a comfortable passage to the fourth round, where Liverpool will face Brighton & Hove Albion.
Post-Match Fury and Frustration
Barnsley head coach Conor Hourihane did not mince his words in the aftermath, directing strong criticism at Szoboszlai's decision-making. "I'm a little bit disappointed with their player if I'm honest," Hourihane stated. "I thought it was a bit disrespectful. I don't think he does that against Chelsea, or Arsenal in a Champions League game."
Liverpool manager Arne Slot also expressed his clear displeasure, confirming he would address the incident privately with the player. "I don't think you should do that in a Premier League game, League Cup game, friendly game or a training session," Slot said. "It's a weird choice and I also have my opinion about it, but I prefer to keep that to myself and speak about it with Dom."
Szoboszlai's Immediate Apology
Taking responsibility, Szoboszlai swiftly offered a mea culpa. "[I'm also] sorry for the team again [for his error leading to Barnsley's goal]," the midfielder said. "I made it hard for us with an easy mistake, I would say. But football moves on and we take the next round."
Reflecting on the overall performance and the importance of squad depth in cup competitions, Szoboszlai added: "We wanted to show that we take it [the FA Cup] seriously... The new guys came in who didn't play maybe as much as the others, but again, they also showed quality. We need everyone."
The incident serves as an unwelcome blemish on an otherwise successful afternoon for Slot's side, highlighting that even in comprehensive victories, moments of ill-advised showboating can spark controversy and require swift managerial action.
