Liverpool boss Arne Slot was angered by a ‘weird’ backheel error from Dominik Szoboszlai in his side’s 4-1 FA Cup victory over Barnsley.
MANAGER Arne Slot was left unimpressed by a “weird” error from Dominik Szoboszlai despite Liverpool’s 4-1 FA Cup third-round win over Barnsley.
The Hungarian midfielder opened the scoring with a spectacular long-range strike at Anfield before Jeremie Frimpong doubled the lead.
Szoboszlai then gifted the League One side a goal by attempting an unsuccessful backheel in his own penalty area, allowing Adam Phillips to score.
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Barnsley manager Conor Hourihane labelled the lax move disrespectful and something Szoboszlai would not try in a Premier League match.
“I don’t think you should do that in a FA Cup game, or a League Cup game, or in a friendly game, or in a training session,” said Slot.
“I also have my opinion about it but I prefer to keep that to myself and speak about that with Dom.”
Hourihane was also furious his side were denied a penalty for a second-half trip by Szoboszlai on Reyes Cleary.
Slot introduced key substitutes Florian Wirtz, Hugo Ekitike, Ibrahima Konate and Ryan Gravenberch after the hour mark to secure the win.
The changes paid off as Wirtz curled in a superb third goal from an Ekitike flick with six minutes of normal time remaining.
Ekitike then tapped in a fourth in stoppage time after a selfless cross from Wirtz.
“We scored nice goals but I think for too long the game was tight,” added Slot.
“Two-nil up then giving a goal away like that made it difficult until 10 minutes before the end.”
The victory sets up a fourth-round home tie against Brighton, who knocked out Manchester United. – AFP
