Dominik Szoboszlai produced a strike of outstanding quality that few goalkeepers could have prevented, yet the same opening period also contained an error he will want erased from memory.
After racing back and beating Adam Phillips to possession, the Liverpool midfielder attempted an audacious backheel inside his own penalty area, aiming to find Giorgi Mamardashvili. The execution failed, allowing Phillips the simplest of finishes.
Although the mistake did not alter the final outcome, it overshadowed much of the post-match discussion. Arne Slot admitted he found the decision puzzling and made clear the matter would be addressed privately with the player.
Barnsley head coach Conor Hourihane was far less restrained, expressing frustration that such a risk was taken at all. In his view, it was an action unlikely to be attempted against elite opposition, which he felt showed a lack of respect.
Despite that lapse, Szoboszlai’s overall contribution was exceptional. He became the first Premier League footballer this season to score, complete more than 100 passes, and regain possession at least 10 times in one match. Afterwards, he accepted responsibility, apologising to his teammates while stressing the importance of moving forward.
Debate over respect and reaction
The incident divided opinion among pundits. Jobi McAnuff suggested Liverpool’s control of the contest may have encouraged unnecessary freedom, describing the error as increasingly painful to watch on replays.
Joleon Lescott agreed with Hourihane’s assessment, labelling the choice disrespectful, while Ally McCoist summed it up as astonishing. Slot, meanwhile, reiterated that such decisions have no place in competitive fixtures, regardless of the scoreline.
Hourihane acknowledged his pleasure for Phillips converting the chance but maintained his disappointment lay with the manner in which the opportunity was gifted.
Liverpool, however, was spared lasting consequences, and the misstep remained a footnote rather than a turning point.
Penalty appeals and decisive substitutions
Szoboszlai was again central to controversy after the interval when Barnsley appealed for a spot-kick at 2-1. Reyes Cleary went down under pressure from the Hungarian, but the referee waved play on.
Hourihane believed the contact warranted a penalty at a crucial stage, suggesting there may have been a shirt pull or trip. McCoist supported that view on TNT Sports, insisting the infringement was clear.
Lescott disagreed, arguing the direction of Cleary’s fall undermined the claim. With VAR unavailable before the fifth round of the FA Cup, the on-field call stood, something Slot referenced by pointing to other recent incidents he felt were more deserving of punishment.
Any lingering tension was eased when Slot introduced Florian Wirtz and Hugo Ekitike just after the hour. The pair combined late on, with Wirtz delivering a goal, an assist, and several flashes of creativity during his brief appearance.
The victory extended Liverpool’s unbeaten sequence to 11 matches across all competitions, their strongest run since a 24-game stretch between September 2024 and January 2025. Szoboszlai later emphasised the collective effort, praising the impact of squad players and underlining the club’s commitment to the FA Cup.
In the end, Liverpool progressed comfortably, and their midfielder’s lapse of judgment did not define the night.
