Ex-Liverpool star delivers blunt verdict on Dominik Szoboszlai incident vs. Barnsley

The Liverpool midfielder gave the ball away just a few yards from his own net at the end of the season half in the FA Cup tie, and that handed Adam Phillips an easy opportunity to score

Steve McManaman was critical of Dominik Szoboszlai's error against Barnsley(Image: )

Steve McManaman was hugely critical of Domink Szoboszali’s mistake that resulted in the Liverpool star giving away a needless goal in Monday’s FA Cup win over Barnsley.

The Reds had been leading 2-0 with five minutes remaining in the first half when Szoboszlai lost possession of the ball just metres from his own goal, allowing Adam Phillips to easily pass into the net. It was a bizarre incident, with Szoboszlai seemingly attempting to backheel or stand on the ball, but instead failed to properly connect and ceded possession.

Barnsley head coach Conor Hourihane fumed after the game and claimed the incident was “disrespectful”, while Arne Slot could barely contain his fury and said the moment was “weird”.

Meanwhile, McManaman described the moment as “alien” and could not understand what exactly Szoboszlai had attempted to do.

“I just don’t like that at all,” the former Liverpool man said during TNT Sports’ half-time coverage.

“I know the lads are saying it’s a mistake, I don’t like that. You never, ever do that in any walk of life, in any game of football.

“He’d never do that against Arsenal, he’d never do that against Man City, why’s he doing it against Barnsley? I don’t know. You don’t do that in those areas; that’s a massive mistake. I don’t like that.”

Szoboszlai gave away Liverpool's opening goal(Image: Getty Images)

McManaman reiterated that verdict after the match, following the interviews with both head coaches.

“I think as an ex-footballer, you just wonder how on earth that came into his mind. That is so alien to anyone playing football professionally.

“At the highest level, on the edge of your six-yard box, to try and backheel it to your goalkeeper who is not expecting it, while you’re getting closed down by Adam Phillips and you’re going away from goal.

“He could have done anything; he could have kicked it into the Kop, kicked it into the Kenny Dalglish Stand.

“That, for me, is the weirdest thing to comprehend. I’m still incredibly confused at what was going through his mind.”

McManaman said Szoboszlai's error was more than just a mistake(Image: Getty Images)

Meanwhile, Hourihane said: “I'm a little bit disappointed at our goal really. 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 apologized for the incident post-match, and Andy Robertson said that, while giving away the sloppy goal was “unacceptable”, the former RB Leipzig man was quickly forgiven.

Szoboszlai had scored the game’s goal after nine minutes when he fired in a powerful effort from distance, before Jeremie Frimpong doubled that advantage. After Phillips netted, Florian Wirtz and Hugo Ekitike combined to score two late goals and seal the victory.

The 4-1 win sets up a fourth-round tie against Brighton & Hove Albion.