Dominik Szoboszlai sends telling Mohamed Salah message before AFCON return

Dominik Szoboszlai looked to have shown his support to Mohamed Salah on what turned out to be a mixed night for the Liverpool midfielder against Barnsley in the FA Cup

Dominik Szoboszlai celebrates after scoring for Liverpool against Barnsley(Image: Getty Images)

Dominik Szoboszlai appeared to show his support for Mohamed Salah as he struck one of his Liverpool teammate’s iconic celebrations on Monday.

The midfielder opened the scoring in spectacular fashion against Barnsley in the FA Cup, rocketing the ball home from 25 yards to set the Reds on their way to a 4-1 win in the third round - although it did prove to be a mixed night for Szoboszlai.

Nevertheless, the Hungarian took the chance to emulate Salah in what was a muted celebration for his goal, perhaps showing his support at what is a crucial period for the Liverpool winger.

Salah is of course away at the Africa Cup of Nations at the moment, and will be eyeing up a place in the final on Wednesday as Egypt takes on Senegal - which of course means Salah coming up against his former Liverpool teammate Sadio Mane once again.

His involvement in the latter stages of the tournament means he won’t be back at Anfield until next week, even if Egypt doesn’t reach the final. When he does return, there could be a big decision to make on his future.

Salah put his time at Liverpool in major doubt after unleashing an extraordinary outburst against the club and head coach Arne Slot last month, in which he accused the Reds of throwing him “under the bus” and suggested someone inside Anfield was trying to drive him out.

Reports have indicated that his agent has been holding talks with sporting director Richard Hughes while he’s been away in Morocco, and the suggestion is that Salah will stay at Liverpool beyond the January transfer window, despite suggesting he may have already played his final game for the club.

In any case, it seems he still retains the support of his teammates, with Szoboszlai pulling out one of his iconic celebrations.

The midfielder struck a praying pose while standing on one leg - a celebration Liverpool fans have seen from Salah on a number of occasions, most notably after his goal against Chelsea in 2019.

Dominik Szoboszlai struck one of Mohamed Salah's iconic celebrations after scoring(Image: Getty Images)

Despite scoring a remarkable goal, Szoboszlai is facing backlash for what some have deemed to be a lack of respect for his League One opponents on Monday.

Later on in the first half, after Jeremie Frimpong had put Liverpool 2-0 up, Szoboszlai gifted Barnsley goal as he attempted a backheel pass to goalkeeper Giorgi Mamardashvili, only to scuff the ball into the path of former Red Adam Phillips to score in front of the Kop.

"I'm a little bit disappointed at our goal really," Barnsley boss Conor Hourihane said after the game. "I don't think the player does that against Chelsea or Arsenal or in a Champions League game, so I was a little bit disappointed with that if I'm honest."

Szoboszlai chose not to dwell on the moment when asked about it on TNT Sports. "Sorry for the team," the 25-year-old said. "I made it hard for us with an easy mistake. Football happens. We move on."