Conor Hourihane, Manager of Barnsley, reacts after interacting with Fourth Official Ruebyn Ricardo during the Emirates FA Cup Third Round match between Liverpool and Barnsley on January 12, 2026 in Liverpool, England. (Photo by Carl Recine/Getty Images)placeholder image
Conor Hourihane, Manager of Barnsley, reacts after interacting with Fourth Official Ruebyn Ricardo during the Emirates FA Cup Third Round match between Liverpool and Barnsley on January 12, 2026 in Liverpool, England. (Photo by Carl Recine/Getty Images) | Getty Images
Liverpool earned a 4-1 victory over Barnsley in the FA Cup although the Premier League side gifted the League One visitors a goal.
Barnsley boss Conor Hourihane slammed Dominik Szoboszlai for being ‘disrespectful’ by trying a backheel in his own box during Liverpool’s FA Cup victory.
The Reds earned a 4-1 win over the League One outfit in the third round of the competition at Anfield. Dominik Szoboszlai and Jeremie Frimpong gave Liverpool the lead in the first half after Barnsley had hit the post within 30 seconds.
But before the break, the Tykes were gifted a way back into the tie when Szoboszlai attempted a backheel for Liverpool goalkeeper Giorgi Mamardashvili but got his execution all wrong and Adam Phillips - a product of the Reds’ academy - profited.
However, Florian Wirtz and Hugo Ekitike struck late for Liverpool to ensure they moved into the next stage and set-up a fourth-round clash against Brighton.
But Hourihane, who took pride from Barnsley’s performance, was not happy with Szoboszlai’s actions. Speaking to TNT Sports, the former Aston Villa midfielder said: "I'm unbelievably proud of the lads, I thought they were outstanding. They stuck with the plan from minute one until the very end. We got a bit tired towards the end, as you can imagine, because we've gone so long without the ball at times.
"I thought we started the game so, so well. We stuck in there at 2-1. They are bringing on top player after top player and that was probably their best team out towards the end because they were making sure that they got over the line themselves., and I thought my lads were unbelievable.
"We had chances ourselves. We got the goal to get back in it art 2-1. I'm a little bit disappointed at our goal really because 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.
"I wanted the lads to put in a performance that they could come away from and be immensely proud of and they can certainly do that. Asked if Szoboszlai's error was disrespectful: "Yeah potentially. I don't think he does that in a Premier League game against Arsenal, Chelsea, Man City or in a Champions League game. I was a little bit disappointed with that."
Then speaking at his post-match press conference, Hourihane said: “I am a little bit disappointed with their player, if I’m honest. It was a bit disrespectful. I don’t think he does that against Chelsea or Arsenal or in a Champions League game. An unbelievable buzz for Adam but a bit of a lack of respect from their player as well.”
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