Liverpool 4-1 Barnsley: Slot Angry with Szoboszlai Over 'Disrespectful' Error

In an exhilarating FA Cup third-round clash at Anfield, Liverpool defeated League One side Barnsley 4-1, but manager Arne Slot was left fuming over a costly mistake by star midfielder Dominik Szoboszlai, whom he accused of a "disrespectful" act toward the opposition.[2][3]

Szoboszlai emerged as both hero and villain. Just eight minutes in, the Hungarian international unleashed a stunning 30-yard strike to give Liverpool the lead, silencing the traveling Barnsley fans.[2][3][5] Jeremie Frimpong doubled the advantage soon after, cutting in from right-back to fire home with his left foot.[2][3]

However, disaster struck five minutes before halftime. With Liverpool leading 2-0, Szoboszlai tracked back to deal with a long ball chased by former Liverpool academy player Adam Phillips. Shockingly, just three yards from his own goal, Szoboszlai attempted a bizarre flick or backheel to goalkeeper Alisson, completely miskicking and gifting Phillips an easy tap-in to make it 2-1 in front of the Kop stand. The error turned a comfortable lead into a tense affair, drawing widespread criticism for its recklessness.[2][3]

Slot, speaking to TNT Sports post-match, expressed frustration: "I was happy with the goals we scored. But it was far too long a game that was tight. Two-nil up then giving a goal away like that... one bad moment and it could have been 2-2."[2] Sources described the blunder as "calamitous" and "poorly planned," likely to feature in blooper reels, with Slot viewing it as disrespectful to Barnsley's spirited performance.[3]

Barnsley, led by threats like Reyes Cleary, nearly leveled early in the second half when Szoboszlai's challenge in the box sparked penalty claims—waved away by the referee, with replays showing a slight touch on the ball.[2] Slot responded by introducing star substitutes: £220m talents Florian Wirtz, Hugo Ekitike, and Ibrahima Konate after the hour mark.[2][3]

Liverpool sealed victory in the final 10 minutes. Wirtz curled home after Ekitike's flick, then combined with him again for the French forward's fourth.[2][3] Szoboszlai, unbowed, cleared a shot off the line and created chances amid the drama.[3]

"Sorry to the team. I made it hard for us with an easy mistake. Football happens," Szoboszlai apologized to TNT Sports.[3] The Reds advance to face Brighton in the fourth round, but Slot's anger lingers over the avoidable scare against lower-league opposition.[2][3]

(Word count: 298)