Dominik Szoboszlai has revealed the secret behind his cheeky free-kick goal against Marseille, with the Liverpool midfielder “doing his homework.”
Szoboszlai opened the scoring in Wednesday’s 3-0 win by sending his free-kick low and under the wall to beat Geronimo Rulli on the cusp of half-time.
It was a different approach from his stunning winner against Arsenal back in September, but it was equally impressive as the Hungarian made it seven goals for the season so far.
Speaking to TNT Sports after the game, Szoboszlai revealed how his work with Liverpool’s analysts inspired his latest free-kick.
“Yeah, I did my homework!” he smiled.
“I got told that if no one is lying down then maybe I can have a chance to hit it under the wall. No one was lying down, so I tried it and it worked out!”
Szoboszlai was not the only player standing over the free-kick, with Mohamed Salah in discussions with the No. 8 before it was decided that he would take it.
“Well, we will always discuss about it,” Szoboszlai said when asked if he was now designated free-kick taker.
“[We consider] who feels good in the game, maybe there are positions where someone else is better.
“But yeah, he just asked me if I want to take it. I said yes, because I checked it, if no one is lying down I’m going to take it under the wall. He said ‘OK, then take it’, and I scored.”
MARSEILLE, FRANCE - Wednesday, January 21, 2026: Liverpool's Dominik Szoboszlai scores the first goal during the UEFA Champions League match between Olympique de Marseille and Liverpool FC at the Stade Vélodrome. (Photo by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)
In the buildup to Liverpool’s trip to Marseille, Szoboszlai explained that he had been in contact with Salah throughout the Africa Cup of Nations, with it clear that he is among those most relieved that he is now back.
This comes after intense speculation over Salah’s future, which now appears resolved at least for the short term.
“I’m really happy that he’s back. He’s helping the team on the pitch but also off the pitch as well,” Szoboszlai continued.
“As you know I’m really close with him and I just like to play with him.
“He’s shown so many times that he has the quality to change the game and even if he didn’t have a goal or assist today he was still working hard.
“Sometimes you have to close your eyes and work hard for the team, and probably the next game he will score or assist someone.”
MARSEILLE, FRANCE - Wednesday, January 21, 2026: Liverpool's head coach Arne Slot (R) passes on instructions to Dominik Szoboszlai during the UEFA Champions League match between Olympique de Marseille and Liverpool FC at the Stade Vélodrome. (Photo by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)
Liverpool are now 13 games unbeaten but there are still concerns over their form, particularly in the Premier League where they face stubborn defences week in, week out and struggle to break them down.
“We take the positive stuff, obviously that we are unbeaten, but also we have to take into account that there are games you have to win when you play for Liverpool,” Szoboszlai said.
“Especially at home, Anfield, we, the fans, everybody deserves to see nice football, but for sure the win.
“Maybe we couldn’t do it as many times as we wanted, but we are on it, we work on it, we focus on it a lot, we talk between each other a lot and hopefully now this game helps us to keep on going.”