Summary:
- Conor Hourihane criticized Dominik Szoboszlai for a risky backheel that led to Barnsley’s goal.
- Szoboszlai admitted the mistake and apologized, while Arne Slot said the decision was unacceptable at any level.
- Barnsley also felt hard done by after a second-half penalty appeal was waved away.
Barnsley head coach Conor Hourihane couldn’t hold back after his side’s FA Cup exit, aiming Liverpool midfielder Dominik Szoboszlai for what he considered a careless and disrespectful moment that gifted the League One club a goal.
Liverpool eventually ran out 4-1 winners to book a place in the fourth round, but the game briefly shifted just before half-time.
Hourihane: “A Little Bit of Lack of Respect”
With Liverpool leading 2-0 and Barnsley pushing forward, Dominik Szoboszlai tracked back into his own box and, under pressure, attempted a casual flick just a few yards from goal. The move went badly wrong, as Adam Phillips, a former Liverpool academy player, pounced on the mistake and scored to make it 2-1.
Hourihane said the decision left a sour taste, even while acknowledging the moment meant a lot to Phillips.
Hourihane in his press conference after the game said
I’m a little bit disappointed with their player if I’m honest. I thought it was a bit disrespectful. I don’t think he does that against Chelsea, or Arsenal in a Champions League game. Unbelievable little feeling and buzz for Adam obviously, but a little bit of lack of respect from their player to be honest.
Liverpool manager Arne Slot addressed the comments directly and made it clear he was not impressed either.
I don’t think you should do that in a Premier League game, League Cup game, friendly game or a training session. It’s a weird choice and I also have my opinion about it but I prefer to keep that to myself and speak about it with Dom.
Szoboszlai owned the mistake afterward and said he apologized to his teammates.
Sorry for the team again. I made it hard for us with an easy mistake I would say. But football moves on and we’ll take the next round.
Slot later expanded on his frustrations, pointing out that Liverpool has made a habit this season of letting teams back into games unnecessarily.
It’s not the first time that we’re 2-0 up, there’s no problems in the game, and then we concede a sloppy, or easy, goal. This one definitely stands out, even for us.
The Penalty Controversy
The night could have taken another twist in the second half when Barnsley appealed for a penalty after Szoboszlai challenged winger Reyes Cleary.
Replays showed the Liverpool midfielder got a touch on the ball, but also appeared to have a hand on Cleary’s back. With no VAR in use until the fifth round, referee Farai Hallam waved play on.
Hourihane said
I thought at the time it was a stonewall penalty. It was easily a decision that could have gone our way.
Slot disagreed, saying he had been told it was not a penalty and pointed to recent decisions that had gone against Liverpool as well.
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