Despite Liverpool easing to victory at bitter rival Manchester United at the weekend, Dominik Szoboszlai couldn’t escape criticism from former Red Jamie Carragher – and it’s not the first time the midfielder’s attitude has been questioned recently.
Plenty of Liverpool’s stars came away with credit from the 3-0 win at Old Trafford , with the likes of Ryan Gravenberch , Mohamed Salah and Luis Diaz in particular impressing. Szoboszlai also put in a solid display, although one moment drew the ire of Carragher .
With the Reds cruising, the Hungarian was presented with a golden opportunity to make it 4-0, but rather than tuck the ball away with United’s defenders floundering, he took too long to get his shot away, giving his opponents time to get back to keep the eventual attempt out.
The incident left Carragher and his fellow Sky Sports commentator Gary Neville baffled, with the former Liverpool defender not mincing his words.
"What is he doing? Just finish it. [He's] trying to be cocky," remarked Carragher.
Neville added: "He's messing around there; he should be absolutely rollicked by his teammates for that - that's a liberty."
Carragher went on to label Szoboszlai's actions as "absolutely ridiculous", while Neville called him “unprofessional” for failing to take the chance.
Despite the criticism, Szoboszlai has been a vital part of Arne Slot’s side since the Dutchman took over during the summer, having started all three Premier League outings so far. His upturn in form comes after he fell down the pecking order during the final weeks of last season under Jurgen Klopp , before enduring a disappointing Euro 2024 with Hungary.
And it was during that tournament that Szoboszlai’s attitude was questioned by Andros Townsend . The former Everton and Tottenham midfielder criticized the Liverpool star following his country’s 3-1 defeat to Switzerland.
"When you have got a player like Szoboszlai, he is your talisman, he is your captain, he is your leader, he is your best player," Townsend said while commentating for ITV Sport. "You need his energy. You feed off his energy. You need him to be positive. You can’t have him throwing his arms up, walking around the pitch with a face on him."
Liverpool.com says: Thankfully, Szoboszlai’s error didn’t cost Liverpool at Old Trafford, although it’s something that he shouldn’t be repeating any time soon. He might have felt like he had the time to showboat a little given the position the Reds were in, but given how tight some of the title races have been in recent years, you simply have to take your chances when they come, no matter how far ahead you are in the game.
Despite the criticism from Carragher, Neville and Townsend, there doesn’t seem to be too much wrong with Szoboszlai’s attitude. The fact that he is captaining his country at such a young age, and he has earned his place back in the Liverpool side tells you all you need to know.
Local News
Comments / 0