Barnsley boss Conor Hourihane has accused Dominik Szoboszlai of disrespect after his lazy backheel handed Liverpool’s visitors a goal in their 4-1 FA Cup win.
Szoboszlai ‘Disrespect’ vs. Barnsley
The error: After scoring a 30-yard screamer, Dominik Szoboszlai gifted Barnsley a goal with an backheel in his own six-yard box. He has since apologised to the squad.
Hourihane’s fury: The Barnsley boss accused Szoboszlai of disrespect, claiming the midfielder wouldn’t try such a move against “big six” opposition.
Next round set: Despite the mid-game nerves, late goals from Florian Wirtz and Hugo Ekitike secured a 4-1 win. Liverpool will now host Brighton in the fourth round.
Liverpool were good value for their victory at the final whistle, but they made things difficult for themselves throughout their third-round tie.
There was a sense of underestimating their League One opponents at times, not least in Szoboszlai’s bizarre decision to backheel a simple clearance and hand Barnsley an equaliser for 1-1.
Speaking to TNT Sports after the game, Barnsley head coach Hourihane said he was “a little bit disappointed” with the manner of Adam Phillips’ goal.
"I was a little disappointed with the player. I don't think he does that in a Premier League or Champions League game"
Conor Hourihane expresses his pride for his Barnsley team when reflecting on their loss to Liverpool…
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“We had chances ourselves, obviously scored and stuck in it, got to 2-1,” he reflected.
“But I was a little bit disappointed with our goal if I’m honest, because I don’t think the player does that against Chelsea, against Arsenal or in a Champions League game.
“So I’m a little bit disappointed with that if I’m honest, but I thought my lads were top.”
Asked if he felt it was a show of disrespect from Szoboszlai in attempting the move he did, Hourihane agreed, saying: “Yeah potentially.
“I don’t think he does that in a Premier League game. Arsenal, Chelsea, Man City, Champions League games I don’t think he does that. So I was a little bit disappointed with that.”
LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND - Monday, January 12, 2026: Liverpool's (L-R) Dominik Szoboszlai celebrates with team-mate Cody Gakpo after scoring the first goal during the FA Cup 3rd Round match between Liverpool FC and Barnsley FC at Anfield. (Photo by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)
Szoboszlai – who was widely considered Man of the Match – was also involved in another controversial moment when he appeared to bring down Barnsley winger Reyes Cleary in the penalty area.
Unsurprisingly Hourihane viewed it as a “stonewall penalty.”
“Obviously he’s got across the player and you think penalty straight away,” he argued.
“I think someone said he might have got a touch on the ball but they were saying he definitely felt he was in trouble and started dragging Reyes’ shirt a little bit.
“So I felt like it was a penalty and it would have been a key time.
“It was 2-1, obviously a penalty in front of our fans, you never know what could happen after that. So a big decision and it probably went against us.”
Speaking to TNT Sports himself, Arne Slot described Szoboszlai’s backheel as a “weird choice” and that would speak to his No. 8 privately.
“I don’t think you should do that in an FA Cup game, a league game, a friendly game or a training game,” the Liverpool head coach added.
The Big Debate
Was Szoboszlai being disrespectful, or is the Barnsley boss overreacting?
Barnsley manager Conor Hourihane was left fuming after **Dominik Szoboszlai**‘s failed backheel gifted his side a goal, claiming the Hungarian wouldn’t try the same against a big-six club. While Arne Slot agreed it was a “weird choice” that required a private chat, Szoboszlai’s Man of the Match performance suggests it was mere overconfidence rather than malice.
Have your say: Did Szoboszlai show a lack of class with his showboating, or was it just a harmless error in a dominant win? Let us know in the comments.