Liverpool manager Arne Slot has criticized Dominik Szoboszlai for a “weird” piece of showboating during the Reds’ 4-1 FA Cup victory over Barnsley.
Despite getting on the scoresheet alongside Jeremie Frimpong, Florian Wirtz, and Hugo Ekitike, the Hungarian midfielder came under fire for a risky backheel inside his own six-yard box. The error gifted a goal to Barnsley’s Adam Phillips just before halftime.
Barnsley boss Conor Hourihane branded the move “disrespectful,” telling TNT Sports: “I don’t think the player does that against Chelsea or against Arsenal… So I was a little bit disappointed with that.
Slot agreed with his counterpart, stating the behavior was unacceptable in any setting. “I don’t think you should do that in an FA Cup game, a league game, a friendly game or a training game,” Slot said. “It was a weird choice. I have my opinion on it but I’ll keep it to myself and speak to Dom.”
Szoboszlai later apologized in a post-match interview, admitting it was an “easy mistake.” Liverpool will now face Brighton in the fourth round.