By LEWIS BROWNING, SPORTS REPORTER
Published: 15:52 EST, 12 January 2026 | Updated: 16:16 EST, 12 January 2026
Liverpool midfielder Dominik Szoboszlai went from hero to zero quickly on Monday night as he gifted Barnsley a way back into their FA Cup third round game at Anfield.
The Reds were heavy favourites going into the game against their League One opposition, and things started to go to plan in the opening 10 minutes when Szoboszlai let fly from range to give his side the lead.
The midfielder, who has arguably been Liverpool's best player this season, celebrated his latest long-distance strike, and his goal was backed up by Jeremie Frimpong's effort soon after.
But all that was forgotten just before half-time when the Hungarian committed a dreadful error that allowed Barnsley back into the game.
He was dribbling with the ball in his own penalty area as Adam Phillips, formerly of Liverpool, pressed him. The midfielder then attempted to back heel the ball to goalkeeper Giorgi Mamardashvili, but got it all wrong and ended up giving the ball straight to Phillips.
The Barnsley man and Liverpool academy graduate welcomed the gift with open arms, scoring to make it 2-1, as Szoboszlai stood barely able to believe what he had done, while Reds captain Virgil van Dijk looked on with his hands on his head.
Dominik Szobozlai (left) gifted Barnsley a goal in Liverpool's FA Cup clash against the League One side
Former Reds midfielder Steve McManaman said on the incident on TNT Sports: 'I just don't like that at all. I know the lads said it's a mistake... I don't like it because you would never do it in any walk of life.
'He wouldn't do it against Arsenal or Manchester City... why he is doing it against Barnsley, I don't know. Something must have been going through his mind. He was flicking the ball around in the first half.'
Joleon Lescott added: 'It seemed to be an arrogant mistake, which is not nice and there is never a time to back heel in your six-yard box. I don't know why he has tried to do it.'
Reds manager Arne Slot cut a disgruntled figure on the sidelines as he watched on, clearly unimpressed with the events.
It was an out-of-character mistake from the 25-year-old, who has been one of the first names on the team-sheet for Liverpool this season.
He has so far played 28 games for the Reds this term, scoring six goals and picking up a further five assists. Least season, he played 49 times in all competitions as Liverpool won the Premier League.