Dominik Szoboszlai shone yet again – and took his tally to 10 goals this season – as Liverpool eased through to the FA Cup fifth rounf
Dominik Szoboszlai impressed for Liverpool yet again(Image: Offside via Getty Images)
The last time Dominik Szoboszlai played in an FA Cup tie at Anfield, he was forced to apologise to his own team-mates after it. He was even accused of being disrespectful by the opposition.
That was, of course, against Barnsley in round number three. A Monday night game that might live long in the memory for the midfielder for all the wrong reasons.
Towards half-time of the 4-1 win for Liverpool, which set up this tie, Szoboszlai chased back to stop a Barnsley attack and then tried a flick just three yards out when under pressure.
That allowed Adam Phillips to score against his former club, after coming through the Liverpool academy, as Barnsley pulled a goal back to 2-1.
Szoboszlai apologised to his team-mates for the error, but it wasn’t a great look for the midfielder who has been Liverpool’s best player so far this season.
He bounced back with a string of impressive displays following that game in January, but in his last appearance at Anfield before this one, he was given his marching orders.
Sent off for a professional foul on Erling Haaland in stoppage time as his side were beaten 2-1 by Manchester City, the Hungary international was forced to miss the 1-0 win over Sunderland in midweek.
But there was never any doubt he would be straight back in for this game. The only doubt was around where Szoboszlai was going to play.
There have been times this season where Szoboszlai has been Liverpool’s best right-back and best central midfielder at the same time.
Here, he was deployed in the middle, and he simply ran the show. He was everywhere, and everything that was good about his side, he was a part of.
And when he raced clear with the chance to make it 2-0 to his side nine minutes into the second-half, you never thought he was going to miss.
He didn’t. He produced a confident and composed finish past Jason Steele to set his side on their way to this 3-0 victory.
It is now 10 goals for the season for the 25-year-old, which, when you not only consider the struggles his side have had this season but also the fact he has often played right-back, is a very impressive return.
And having already stated that he wants to extend his Liverpool career despite contract talks having not yet reached a resolution, you do start to wonder whether you are watching a future Reds captain in the making if he stays at Anfield.
That is probably a discussion for another day, but one thing is clear right now and that is Szoboszlai has made himself undroppable.
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