Szoboszlai Responds to Critics with Wondergoal, Emphasizes Human Element
Liverpool midfielder asserts that players, like everyone, can have off days but highlights the importance of reaction.
Dominik Szoboszlai, vice-captain of Liverpool, has responded to recent criticism by emphasizing the human element in sports and the importance of a player's reaction to adversity. Szoboszlai faced scrutiny following a less impactful performance against Fulham, but he quickly shifted the narrative with a spectacular goal during Liverpool's 3-1 victory over Tottenham.
Szoboszlai's goal, widely considered a contender for goal of the season, was followed by a celebration where he placed a finger in his ear. He stated that the gesture was "just for myself" and not intended as a direct message to critics. However, he elaborated on the sentiment behind it, noting that the 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 never ever was a player who played every game of his life well," Szoboszlai said. "So there will be days also and games where I am going to play bad. But I think the most important is the reaction so I think I reacted quite well today and hopefully I can keep on going."
When asked about criticism, the Hungary captain expressed a degree of detachment. "Was there criticism? I didn’t know, I didn’t see but thanks for telling me," he remarked.
He further elaborated on the team's performance and the nature of a long season. "As I say, we are also humans, there will be games where we are maybe not at our top level," he stated. "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 so, yeah, the season is long, we are ready to go and that is all I can say."
Szoboszlai also addressed his deployment in various midfield roles, including the No. 6, No. 8, and No. 10 positions. He expressed a desire simply to be on the pitch, regardless of the specific role. "No, I just want to be on the pitch," he said when asked about his preference. "Maybe I am not at the best in the 6 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 6?"
He concluded by reiterating the theme of adaptability and forward momentum. "So it’s always about balance. There will be games where we are not playing at our best as a team, as personally I or somebody else but trust me it is always leaving the past and then the next one, the next one, the reaction is what matters."