Liverpool boss Arne Slot labels Dominik Szoboszlai mistake ‘weird’ as Barnsley manager Conor Hourihane claims midfielder’s error was ‘disrespectful’

Szoboszlai endured a dramatic swing from hero to villain on Monday night, gifting Barnsley a route back into the game when he presented the ball straight to Adam Phillips, with the former Liverpool youngster halving the deficit on the stroke of half-time.

The Hungary international’s eventful evening had begun so promisingly, having opened the scoring with a sweet long-range strike, but he later became involved in a contentious decision not to award Barnsley a penalty after tangling with Reyes Cleary inside the box just after the hour-mark.

‘What is he thinking?’ – Watch as Barnsley gifted lifeline after absurd Szoboszlai error

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Slot told TNT Sports: “I was happy with the goals we scored. But I think it was far too long a game that was tight. Two-nil up then giving a goal away like that made it difficult, five or 10 minutes until the end. Then one bad moment and it could have been 2-2.

“I’m happy with the goals, but we didn’t create enough chances from all the ball possession we had.”

When Slot was told that Barnsley boss Hourihane had criticised Szoboszlai for a lack of professionalism, the Dutchman responded: “I don’t think you should do that in a Premier League game, League Cup game, friendly game or a training session.

“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.”

Was Szoboszlai guilty of complacency or disrespect?

The Reds entered the contest as overwhelming favourites against their League One opponents and made the perfect start inside the opening 10 minutes, when Szoboszlai unleashed a powerful strike from distance to put his side ahead.

Widely regarded as one of Liverpool’s standout performers this season, the midfielder celebrated another trademark long-range goal, which was soon followed by Jeremie Frimpong’s effort to seemingly place the tie firmly under control.

However, all of that early authority unravelled just before half-time as the Hungarian committed a dreadful error that allowed Barnsley back into the game and shifted the momentum.

Highlights: Liverpool come through Barnsley test to reach fourth round

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Attempting to dribble out of danger inside his own penalty area, Szoboszlai was closed down by former Liverpool midfielder Adam Phillips. He then tried to back-heel the ball to goalkeeper Giorgi Mamardashvili, only to misjudge the execution and present possession straight to Phillips.

The Barnsley midfielder – a Liverpool academy graduate – accepted the invitation gratefully, converting from close range to reduce the deficit to 2-1. Szoboszlai stood stunned by his mistake as Liverpool captain Virgil van Dijk watched on, hands on head.

“He wouldn’t do it against Arsenal or Manchester City… why he is doing it against Barnsley, I don’t know. Something must have been going through his mind.

“That is so alien to anyone playing football professionally at the highest level. He could have done anything. Kicked it into The Kop, into the Kenny Dalglish Stand. It is hardest thing ever to comprehend.

‘I made it hard for us’ – Szoboszlai reflects on Liverpool win over Barnsley

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“I’m still incredibly confused about what was going through his mind at that particular moment in time.”

“I was a little bit disappointed with our goal,” he said. “I don’t think a player does that against Chelsea, against Arsenal or in a Champions League game.

“I’m a little bit disappointed with that to be honest. I thought my lads were top.”

‘Doesn’t do that in Champions League’ – Hourihane left ‘disappointed’ by Szoboszlai

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When asked if he thought it was disrespectful, Hourihane added: “Yeah, potentially. He doesn’t do that against Arsenal, Chelsea or a Champions League game. He doesn’t do that.”

On the penalty shout, the Barnsley boss said: “At the time, I thought it was a stonewall penalty. He’s gone across the player and think penalty straight away.

“Some say he’s got a touch on the ball, some said he was definitely in trouble and dragged Reyes’ shirt a little bit.

“So I thought it was a penalty, and it would have been a key time, 2-1 and you never know in front of our fans. It probably went against us.”