Liverpool midfielder Dominik Szoboszlai in hot water with Arne Slot over ‘weird incident’
It was supposed to be a routine Monday night at the office for Liverpool. A rainy FA Cup third-round tie against League One Barnsley at Anfield, a chance to give the fans some flair, and a straightforward ticket to the fourth round. And for about 40 minutes, that’s exactly what it was—until Dominik Szoboszlai decided to play a game of “Russian Roulette” in his own six-yard box.
In what is being described as the most “weird” and “disrespectful” incident of the season so far, Liverpool’s Hungarian captain went from a 35-yard “Piledriver” Hero to an “Inexplicable Backheel” Zero in the blink of an eye.
The Goal of the Season… Followed by the Gaffe of the Century
The night started perfectly. Just nine minutes in, Szoboszlai reminded the world why he’s arguably been Liverpool’s best player this season. Picking up the ball 30 yards out, he unleashed a thunderbolt that practically tore the net off Murphy Cooper’s goal. When Jeremie Frimpong doubled the lead shortly after, the Kop was settling in for a 5-0 or 6-0 stroll.
Then came the “moment of madness.”
Tracking back into his own penalty area to clean up a rare Barnsley break, Szoboszlai did the hard work. He had the ball. He had the time. He had the space. But instead of a simple clearance or a pass to goalkeeper Giorgi Mamardashvili, Szoboszlai attempted a nonchalant, flashy backheel flick just three yards from his own goal line.
He didn’t just miss-hit it; he practically served it on a silver platter to Barnsley’s Adam Phillips. Phillips, a former Liverpool academy kid, couldn’t believe his luck. He poked it home, and suddenly, 2-0 was 2-1, and a comfortable night turned into a jittery nightmare.
Arne Slot: “I Have an Opinion… And He Won’t Like It”
While the fans were stunned, manager Arne Slot was vibrating with a quiet, Dutch fury on the touchline. In his post-match press conference, Slot—usually the king of composure—didn’t hold back.
”It was a weird choice,” Slot told TNT Sports, his face like thunder. “I don’t think you should do that in an FA Cup game, or a League Cup game, or in a friendly game, or even a training session. I have my opinion about it, which I will share with Dom in private.”
When a manager says he’s keeping his opinion “private,” it’s usually code for: The hair-dryer is being plugged in as we speak.
“Disrespectful” or Just “Brain-Fade”?
The fallout didn’t stop with Slot. Barnsley boss Conor Hourihane was incensed, accusing the Liverpool star of “showboating” and lacking respect for lower-league opposition.
”I don’t think he does that against Chelsea or Arsenal or in a Champions League game,” Hourihane fumed. “It was disrespectful. You don’t try fancy tricks in your own six-yard box when you think the game is too easy.”
To be fair to “Szobo,” he didn’t hide. He fronted up to the cameras immediately after the 4-1 win (secured late on by Florian Wirtz and Hugo Ekitike) and offered a groveling apology. “I made it hard for us with an easy mistake,” he admitted. “Sorry to the team again.”
The Verdict
Is Szoboszlai in actual trouble? Probably not long-term. He’s been the heartbeat of Slot’s midfield all year. But in a season where Liverpool is chasing a historic quadruple, these “weird” lapses in concentration are exactly what Slot wants to stomp out.
One thing is for sure: if Szoboszlai even thinks about a backheel in his own box against Brighton in the next round, he might find himself watching the rest of the season from the Anfield rafters!