Dominik Szoboszlai apologised to his Liverpool teammates after a defensive error allowed Barnsley to score in Monday's FA Cup clash at Anfield
Adam Phillips celebrates scoring for Barnsley against Liverpool after an error from Dominik Szoboszlai
Adam Phillips scored for Barnsley against Liverpool after an error from Dominik Szoboszlai(Image: Peter Byrne/PA Wire)
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Andy Robertson has revealed that Dominik Szoboszlai said sorry to his Liverpool colleagues after his "unacceptable" mistake attracted condemnation following the 4-1 FA Cup victory over Barnsley at Anfield on Monday. Szoboszlai's spectacular goal - the 100th of his professional career - put Arne Slot's team ahead against the Tykes before Jeremie Frimpong netted to extend the lead at Anfield.
Yet the Hungary skipper was at fault for excessive showmanship later in the opening period, trying an audacious back-heel inside his own box that went awry, gifting Reds supporter and ex-academy player Adam Phillips an easy opportunity to score in front of the Kop.
That strike gave Barnsley fresh momentum after the interval before late efforts from substitutes Florian Wirtz and Hugo Ekitike confirmed Liverpool's progression to the fourth round, where they will welcome Brighton & Hove Albion to Anfield.
Szoboszlai was labelled "disrespectful" for his tricks by visiting manager Conor Hourihane while Slot also indicated he would address the matter with his No. 8.
"I think we all said something at the time, but he realised and apologised at half-time," Robertson said via the Liverpool Echo. "If anyone's performances can't get criticised this season, it's Dom's."
"He's been 100 per cent every game this season and has this lapse of concentration, which isn't great. We can't really afford that in the so-called bigger games."
"That's the most frustrating thing (the mistake allowed Barnsley back into the game). This season, we've let teams in far too many times. "From the opening game of the season, we've done it and we've been punished at times, in terms of losing or drawing games.
"At 2-0, we started looking in control so for that to happen, then questions get asked. It's safe to say it was an individual error, but we then limited their chances, which is good. Then it was just about getting the third and fourth."
Adam Phillips celebrates scoring for Barnsley against Liverpool after an error from Dominik Szoboszlai
Adam Phillips celebrates after scoring for Barnsley against Liverpool after an error from Dominik Szoboszlai(Image: Jan Kruger/Getty Images)
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"We had quality off the bench and they delivered." Robertson shared his frustration at how Szoboszlai's hard work to close down a chance for Barnsley eventually went to waste.
"Was it a gift for Barnsley? That's putting it nicely," Robertson continued. "The frustrating thing is Dom does this unbelievable 60-yard sprint to start with.
"He's getting the clap off the Kop and I don't know if that maybe went to his head! "We can joke about it now but it's unacceptable to lose a goal like that.
"Dom obviously knows that. "He's been magnificent for us this season and he was again really good. "He just had a lapse of concentration, and we can't afford too many of them in the six-yard box."
Adam Phillips scores for Barnsley against Liverpool after an error from Dominik Szoboszlai
Adam Phillips scored for Barnsley against Liverpool after an error from Dominik Szoboszlai(Image: Jan Kruger/Getty Images)
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Robertson added: "I don't think Gio (Mamardashvili) was too happy. He wants to keep a clean sheet, the defence wants to keep a clean sheet as well, so it wasn't great. "It gave them a way back in and it was 2-1 for a long time. It made it a bit nervy but we got there in the end.
"We need to now get both because at the start of the season, we were really good going forward but probably a little bit too open at the back. Now we've kind of reversed it."