Dominik Szoboszlai's backheel was 'disrespectful' - Barnsley coach

LIVERPOOL -- Barnsley head coach Conor Hourihane criticized Liverpool midfielder Dominik Szoboszlai for showing "disrespect" during Liverpool's 4-1 FA Cup victory over Barnsley at Anfield, advancing them to the fourth round against Brighton[2][1][4].

Szoboszlai opened the scoring with a stunning 30-35 yard strike after just eight minutes, silencing the traveling Barnsley fans. Jeremie Frimpong doubled the lead with a fierce left-footed shot from the right[4][5]. However, shortly before halftime, Szoboszlai's calamitous error gifted Barnsley a lifeline. Racing back to defend just three to six yards from his own goal, he attempted a flashy backheel flick under pressure instead of a safe clearance, allowing former Liverpool academy player Adam Phillips to tap into an empty net and make it 2-1[1][2][4][5].

Hourihane called the mistake "disrespectful," saying Szoboszlai wouldn't try it against top teams like Chelsea or Arsenal, or in a Champions League match. He praised Phillips, a lifelong Liverpool fan, for scoring in front of the Kop—a moment he'd cherish forever[2][1].

Liverpool manager Arne Slot shared his frustration post-match, noting it wasn't the first time his team conceded a sloppy goal when leading comfortably, creating a nervy second half. "I have my opinion about that which I'm definitely going to share with him," Slot said, highlighting how such errors shift the opposition's mindset[2]. Szoboszlai apologized, telling TNT Sports, “Sorry to the team. I made it hard for us with an easy mistake. Football happens and we move on”[4].

Barnsley had a strong penalty claim waved away in the second half when Szoboszlai tackled winger Reyes Cleary; replays showed a touch on the ball but possible shirt-pulling, though no VAR was available until the fifth round. Hourihane deemed it a "stonewall penalty" that could have made it 2-2[1].

Slot introduced star substitutes like Florian Wirtz, Hugo Ekitiké, and Ibrahima Konaté to steady the game. Wirtz sealed the win six minutes from time with a curled shot from an Ekitiké pass, despite Barnsley's spirited performance nearly causing an upset[4][5]. Szoboszlai redeemed himself somewhat by clearing a Phillips shot off the line[4].

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