Liverpool midfielder Dominik Szoboszlai has come under fire from BOTH managers after his bizarre error gave Barnsley hope in their FA Cup defeat against Liverpool at Anfield.
The Merseysiders were leading Barnsley 2-0 and cruising when Szoboszlai tried to backheel the ball to his goalkeeper in front of the Kop. The Hungary international made a mess of it and presented Barnsley midfielder and Liverpool fan Adam Phillips with a tap-in from a yard.
Liverpool eventually scored two late goals to run out 4-1 winners but Szoboszlai was criticised by Liverpool manager Arne Slot and also Barnsley’s Conor Hourihane.
‘I was disappointed with their player,’ said Hourihane.
‘I don’t think he does that against Arsenal or Chelsea or in a Champions League game.
‘It was a lack of respect from his point of view.’
Liverpool’s Dominik Szoboszlai has been accused of a ‘lack of respect’ over his error against Barnsley
The midfielder tried to backheel a ball in his own box, resulting in his side conceding a goal
Szoboszlai had started the night well with a stunning goal from 30 yards to give Liverpool the lead against the League One strugglers. But things fell apart when he dribbled the ball across his own six-yard line under no pressure and then presented it straight to Phillips.
‘I don’t think you should do that in an FA Cup game or League Cup, a friendly game or even a training session,’ said Slot.
‘It’s a weird choice and I have my opinion about it but I prefer to keep that to myself and speak about that with Dom.
‘It is not the first time we are 2-0 up and concede a sloppy goal but that one stands out even for us
‘If you give away an easy goal it is a big difference in mindset for the team that is 2-0 down. It is definitely not helpful for us.
‘Even tonight we could see a lot of things being the same as they have been this season.’
Slot’s team will face Brighton at home in round four after what transpired to be a comfortable but uninspiring win.
Szoboszlai was involved in another controversial incident with the score at 2-1 when he appeared to bring down Barnsley’s Reyes Cleary in the penalty area.
Barnsley boss Conor Hourihane (pictured) said he was ‘disappointed’ with his actions
Arne Slot (pictured), meanwhile, said that he will hold talks with his player after the game
Hourihane was booked for protesting and said afterwards: ‘I thought at the time it was a stonewall penalty. Looking back, the player does get a touch on the ball. It was easily a decision that could have gone our way. Their player was in panic mode.
‘But I am really proud. I thought we were outstanding. Liverpool had to bring on every superstar to get over the line. We didn’t deserve that scoreline.’
