Dominik Szoboszlai silenced his critics in spectacular fashion on Tuesday night, firing a thunderous rocket into the net to help Liverpool secure a 3-1 victory over Tottenham Hotspur and advance to the fourth round of the Carabao Cup.
The Hungarian vice-captain’s strike, which drew immediate comparisons to the legendary long-range efforts of Steven Gerrard, left stars like Bradley Barcola and Alexander Isak staring on in sheer disbelief. Even Cody Gakpo, caught up in the moment, could be seen knee-sliding across the rain-slicked Anfield surface in pure, unadulterated celebration of his teammate’s masterpiece.
Yet, it was the man of the hour’s own reaction that dominated post-match chatter. Instead of a traditional roar, Szoboszlai wheeled away, calmly placing a finger to his ear. The gesture was interpreted by some as a defiant response to the criticism following Liverpool’s lackluster goalless draw against Fulham last weekend—a game where Szoboszlai himself struggled, notably winning only one of his 10 duels.
Speaking in the media zone after the match, the midfielder brushed off suggestions of lingering frustration, insisting the celebration was entirely spontaneous. “No, it was just for myself,” Szoboszlai said. “I decided before the game to do it. I was hoping Cody saw me, had a good touch, and after one bounce, I thought: ‘Why not?’ I just took a shot and hit it quite well.”
Addressing the recent scrutiny surrounding his form, the Hungary captain maintained a grounded perspective. “We are humans, so we can have bad games, we can have bad days,” he remarked. “I think the most important thing is the reaction. I reacted quite well today and hopefully, I can keep it going on Sunday against Bournemouth.”
The win over Spurs, which sets up a high-profile fourth-round clash against Chelsea, also provided a platform for Liverpool’s emerging talent. Both James McConnell and Trey Nyoni earned plaudits for their composed performances alongside Alexis Mac Allister, giving head coach Andoni Iraola plenty to consider regarding his midfield hierarchy.
Szoboszlai was quick to praise the youngsters for their contribution, noting the stiff competition for places. “It’s good to have a big squad because you saw it today; we need everybody,” he added.
Amid ongoing tactical debates, the midfielder also clarified the nuances of Iraola’s system, correcting the perception that Liverpool operates with two holding midfielders. “You guys see it a little differently,” he explained to the media. “It’s a 6, an 8, and a 10. The 6 is deeper, the 8 is higher, and the 10 is even higher. It is a system.”
When asked about his preferred role, the self-described “Mr. Versatile” remained characteristically team-first. “I just want to be on the pitch,” he said. “The reaction is what matters.”
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