A 'weird' and 'incredible' error - but was Szoboszlai disrespectful?

In Liverpool's 4-1 FA Cup victory over third-tier Barnsley at Anfield, Dominik Szoboszlai's night encapsulated brilliance and blunder, sparking debate on whether his error crossed into disrespect.[1][2]

Szoboszlai opened the scoring in the 9th minute with a stunning 30-35 yard piledriver, curling into the top corner for a dream start. Jeremie Frimpong soon doubled the lead with a fierce left-footed strike from the right, seemingly putting the Reds in cruise control.[1][2]

But five minutes before half-time, disaster struck. Szoboszlai tracked back to intercept a through ball near his six-yard box, only to attempt a cocky backheel instead of clearing. The ball rolled invitingly to Barnsley's Adam Phillips, a former Liverpool youth player, who tapped in gleefully before the Kop.[1][2]

Pundit Steve McManaman fumed: "You don’t do that... Why is he doing that against Barnsley? You’d never do that against Arsenal or Manchester City." He called it an uncharacteristic lapse from Liverpool's most consistent performer this season.[1]

Manager Arne Slot plans to address it, stating: "I don't think you should do that."[3] Critics labeled it "reckless arrogance," gifting plucky Barnsley encouragement. They pressed, nearly equalizing early via Davis Keillor-Dunn's header off the post, and forced saves.[2]

Liverpool steadied, with Florian Wirtz curling home in the 84th minute and Hugo Ekitike adding a late second. The bench boasted £250m in talent, underscoring Slot's caution despite the gulf in class.[2]

Szoboszlai's error nearly worsened; a VAR-absent tackle on Reyes Cleary enraged Barnsley over a non-penalty. Echoing a 2008 upset loss after leading 1-0, this win advances Liverpool to face Brighton at home—but the Hungarian's flair-to-folly moment dominates headlines, blending sublime and ridiculous.[2][4]

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