Liverpool’s Dominik Szoboszlai celebrates scoring their first aim with Curtis Jones REUTERS
LIVERPOOL:
Dominik Szoboszlai scored a stunner and gave away a howler as Liverpool beat third-tier Barnsley 4-1 on Monday to arrange a house FA Cup fourth spherical conflict with Premier League rivals Brighton & Hove Albion.
The Hungarian opened Liverpool’s account with a long-range screamer within the ninth minute after Barnsley’s Davis Keillor-Dunn had bounced a header off the house upright inside the primary 30 seconds.
Proper again Jeremie Frimpong, on his FA Cup debut, unleashed an incredible left-footed effort within the thirty sixth to place Liverpool 2-0 up at a cold Anfield.
Szoboszlai then veered from the chic to the ridiculous in a second of jaw-dropping carelessness that handed Barnsley a lifeline within the fortieth minute.
Seemingly making an attempt to backheel to goalkeeper Giorgi Mamardashvili, the Hungarian as an alternative left the ball completely teed up for Barnsley’s Adam Phillips, who spent eight years in Liverpool’s academy, to lash dwelling on the Kop Finish.
Sturdy beginning lineup
Liverpool made it 3-1 within the 84th when second-half substitute Florian Wirtz made amends for a obtrusive earlier miss by curling a shot into the highest proper nook to place the result past doubt.
Hugo Ekitike, additionally coming off the bench, added the icing on the cake with the fourth assisted by Wirtz within the fourth minute of stoppage time.
The hosts, who suffered a shock fourth spherical defeat final yr to second-tier Plymouth Argyle, confirmed they have been taking the sport severely by fielding a stronger than anticipated beginning lineup.
Supervisor Arne Slot made six modifications in his beginning lineup to the aspect that drew 0-0 at Premier League leaders Arsenal final Thursday.
Barnsley nonetheless made it arduous for them, combating for each ball and fuming at being denied a penalty within the 61st minute when ahead Reyes Cleary went down after a problem from Szoboszlai with no VAR till the fifth spherical.
Barnsley supervisor Conor Hourihane was booked for his response and stated after the sport that Szoboszlai had additionally been “disrespectful” in making an attempt the botched backheel.
“I do not suppose a participant does that towards Chelsea towards Arsenal or in a Champions League sport. I am slightly bit disenchanted with that to be sincere,” stated the Irishman.
Slot gave that quick shrift, with out sparing his participant: “What does he imply disrespectful? I do not suppose it’s best to do this in a Premier League sport, League Cup sport, pleasant sport or a coaching session,” stated the Dutchman.
“It is a bizarre selection and I even have my opinion about it however I choose to maintain that to myself and talk about it with Dom.”
Szoboszlai apologised to the staff: “I made it arduous for us with the simple mistake, I’d say. Soccer occurs, we transfer on. We go to the subsequent spherical,” he informed TNT Sports activities.
“We needed to point out we take the FA Cup severely. We confirmed in the present day we’d like the entire squad, in addition they confirmed high quality. We’d like everybody.”
Arne Slot was additionally removed from completely happy along with his midfielder, who has been Liverpool’s excellent performer to date in a tough season for the English champions.
“I do not suppose it’s best to do this in a FA Cup sport, or a League Cup sport, or in a pleasant sport, or in a coaching session. It was a bizarre selection,” stated Slot.
“I even have my opinion about it however I choose to maintain that to myself and talk about that with Dom.”
