Arne Slot has revealed the mastermind behind Dominik Szoboszlai's clever free-kick against Marseille, saying the referee also missed a Liverpool penalty during the game
09:29, 22 Jan 2026
Arne Slot on the touchline during Marseille 0-3 Liverpool.
Arne Slot on the touchline during Marseille 0-3 Liverpool.(Image: Justin Setterfield/Getty Images)
Arne Slot says it was Liverpool coach Xavi Valero who spotted that Dominik Szoboszlai could score his free-kick by going under the wall against Marseille — but he says the Reds should have had a penalty instead.
Seconds before the foul outside the box on Ryan Gravenberch that led to Szoboszlai breaking the deadlock just before half-time, there was a handball shout after a Jeremie Frimpong cross. VAR took a look but decided against intervening.
It didn't matter, of course, with Szoboszlai slotting the ball past Geronimo Rulli when the Marseille goalkeeper's wall jumped out of the way and the ball slid underneath them.
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"Quality players are calm enough to recognize what’s being said to them in a moment like this but also in other moments when you need tactical discipline," Slot told LFCTV.
"You usually get players who are good enough or better than the level they are playing at. It was a moment from Dom, great work from Xavi as well.
"Although I think it shouldn’t have been Dom who took that ball. It should have been Mo [Salah] because it should have been a penalty.
MARSEILLE, FRANCE - JANUARY 21: Dominik Szoboszlai #8 of Liverpool FC celebrates his first goal with teammates during the UEFA Champions League 2025/26 League Phase MD7 match between Olympique de Marseille and Liverpool FC at Stade de Vélodrome on January 21, 2026 in Marseille, France. (Photo by Xavier Laine/Getty Images)(Image: Getty Images)
"So many times this season, we have been on the wrong side of refereeing decisions and again tonight.
"I have also said so many times we should not rely on these wrong decisions and should still be able to win the game.
"That is really positive and I am 100 per cent sure it cannot go on like this with all these decisions that go against us.
"It will come a time when things go back to normal. In the meantime, we have to make sure we perform in the best possible way and that’s what we have done tonight."
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Szoboszlai has arguably been Liverpool's best player so far this season. In his last two games, though, he had given away a bizarre goal against Barnsley and then missed a penalty against Burnley.
Scoring and playing so well in the Champions League should restore his confidence again, putting Liverpool back on the right track ahead of the trip to Bournemouth on Saturday.
Liverpool.com says: Szoboszlai was superb at the Stade Velodrome. The Hungarian was everywhere, but he made a difference in the final third too. He will need to bring a similar level of performance to the Vitality Stadium in a couple of days.