Liverpool ace Dominik Szoboszlai says criticism does not affect him, with the Hungary captain also outling the way that Andoni Iraola wants to set up his midfield department
Liverpool midfielder Dominik Szoboszlai.
Liverpool midfielder Dominik Szoboszlai.(Image: Michael Regan/Getty Images)
Dominik Szoboszlai has brushed off any criticism that has been sent his way in the early parts of the new season, with the Hungary captain suggesting that the Liverpool midfield is being wrongly perceived.
On Tuesday, following earlier goals from Alexis Mac Allister and Cody Gakpo that had already put the Reds ahead, Szoboszlai netted a sensational strike from distance on the half-volley as Andoni Iraola's side progressed past Tottenham in the Carabao Cup.
Szoboszlai pointed to his ear as he celebrated in front of The Kop, but he insisted that he was unaware of any negative comments that came his way after a poor showing against Fulham the weekend prior.
"No, (it was) just for myself — I just decided before the game, and I just did it," he told reporters when asked about his celebration.
"This goal was for the people who are always next to me, because we are also humans, so we can have bad games. We can have bad days and I think never, ever was there a player who played well in every game of his life.
"There will be days also and games where I am going to play bad, but I think the most important thing is the reaction. I think I reacted quite well and hopefully I can keep on going on Sunday against Bournemouth."
So far this season, Liverpool has struggled for consistency. Just a few days before the dire draw with Fulham in which Szoboszlai struggled, he starred alongside Mac Allister in a significant win over Atletico Madrid in the Champions League.
"That is what we are working on, and that is our goal, to be always consistent and be there every week in the same week how we wanted," Szoboszlai said.
LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND - SEPTEMBER 15: Dominik Szoboszlai of Liverpool (R) celebrates with Bradley Barcola of Liverpool after scoring their 3rd goal during the Carabao Cup Third Round match between Liverpool and Tottenham Hotspur at Anfield on September 15, 2026 in Liverpool, England. (Photo by Simon Stacpoole/Offside/Offside via Getty Images)
Dominik Szoboszlai seemed to address his critics when celebrating his sensational match-sealing goal for Liverpool against Tottenham Hotspur(Image: Simon Stacpoole/Offside/Offside via Getty Images)
"But as I say, we are also humans. There will be games where we are maybe not at our top level.
"When we won the league, there were also games where we weren’t at the top of our game but at the end of the day we had the Premier League title in our hands, four games before the end of the season.
"The season is long, we are ready to go and that is all I can say."
Many have questioned whether or not Iraola's double pivot in midfield can work, with the perfect balance yet to be struck in the center of the field. But Szoboszlai says it is not a 4-2-3-1 system.
"I think you guys see a little bit different because we play with one six, one eight, and one 10," he explained.
"The six and the eight are not next to each other — the eight is a little bit higher, the six is a little bit deeper, and the 10 is a little bit even higher.
"It is not two next to each other. So you put the pictures or whatever in the media, guys, just the information, it is a six, an eight, and a 10 so yes, it is just the system.
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"Last week against Fulham, I was a number eight. I have been a number two as well. I have been number six, number eight, No 10, number seven also, but yeah, that is an information from our side to help you guys — a six, an eight, and a 10.
"There is a lot of competition, always. I don’t even know, six midfielders maybe — Trey, Macca, Ryan, Flo, me, and Wata and James McConnell — so we have a lot of competition.
"But it is good to have competition. It is good to have a big squad because you saw it (against Tottenham) — we need everybody.
"I just want to be on the pitch. Maybe I am not the best in the six position because I win one of the 10 duels. Maybe next the game, I am going to win eight out of 10, so I am then a good six?
"It’s always balance. There will be games where we are not playing at our best as a team, as personally me or somebody else, but trust me, it is always left in the past and then the next one, and the next one. The reaction is what matters."