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Dominik Szoboszlai and Milos Kerkez put Liverpool's struggles to one side as Hungary boosted its World Cup qualification hopes with a narrow win in Armenia.
Hungary won 1-0 in Yerevan, with Szoboszlai producing the assist for the winning goal, scored by Barnabas Varga. Liverpool's midfield maestro collected the ball from Kerkez on the left wing and curled in a brilliant cross, from which Varga found the net with a header.
Kerkez will no doubt have been pleased at keeping a clean sheet, having not managed too many with Liverpool during the early period in the season.
Hungarian news outlet Blikk described Szoboszlai as one of the two most in-form players in its report from the game.
The 25-year-old midfielder, who has been outstanding for club and country in recent months, became the youngest player in Hungarian soccer history to reach 60 caps for his country with his appearance against Armenia.
As for Kerkez, it was a much-needed dependable performance from the former Bournemouth player, as he started his first game since October 29.
The summer signing was benched for Liverpool's games against Aston Villa, Real Madrid and Manchester City prior to the international break, as Arne Slot opted to restore Andy Robertson to the team.
Liverpool has looked a steadier side with Robertson in it, and while it is still early days in Kerkez's Liverpool career, he may have to bide his time for another opportunity back in the Reds' starting line-up.
Appearing on The Good, The Bad and The Football Podcast, former Liverpool striker Robbie Fowler gave his verdict on Kerkez's struggles at left-back since the start of the season.
The Hungary international was widely regarded as the best left-back in the Premier League last term, but has struggled to rediscover the form he showed at Bournemouth since moving to Anfield.
Kerkez was substituted on the hour-mark or earlier in four of Liverpool's first nine league games, and Fowler suggested that the 22-year-old is struggling to adapt to the pressure of playing for one of the biggest clubs in the world.
Fowler said: “Kerkez was everyone’s favorite left back last year, and he’s come in... so when you’re playing for Liverpool, when you’re playing for Man United – it’s different than playing for Bournemouth. It’s because there’s pressure.”
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