Liverpool have started the new Premier League season with a win over Bournemouth.
The Reds are defending the title this term, and they were put under pressure by Andoni Iraola’s side at Anfield on Friday night.
Liverpool looked set to pick up a comfortable victory after Hugo Ekitike and Cody Gakpo put them 2-0 up, but they ended up conceding two avoidable goals.
It didn’t matter in the end because of Federico Chiesa and Mohamed Salah’s strikes, but Arne Slot wasn’t happy with what led to one of Antoine Semenyo’s goals.
Arne Slot blames Dominik Szoboszlai for Bournemouth’s first goal vs Liverpool
Liverpool signed Dominik Szoboszlai for £60 million in the summer of 2023 (Sky Sports), and he has been a fine player for them.
The Hungary international is excellent on the ball, can create and score goals, and has mostly been very good over the last two years.
However, against Bournemouth on Friday night, Szoboszlai carelessly lost the ball by attempting a flick. That trick did not come off, and Semenyo ended up scoring just moments later.
After the game, Slot was asked what went wrong with the two goals his side conceded. The Dutchman pointed out Szoboszlai’s mistake in front of the media.
He said, as relayed on Beanyman Sports: “Normally, you can complain about our players not sprinting back hard enough, but they did. The only thing we need to do better – but it’s in an ideal world – is where do you lose the ball?
“The first ball, I think there is something I can say about that. Losing the ball with a trick if you’re 2-0 up is not necessary. Maybe if you’re 1-0 down or you really need a goal and you want to force something, but in that moment, I think it’s not the way to lose the ball like Dominik did.
“The second goal, we are a team that likes to attack. We are a team that wants to score goals. The rest of the defence was in order, but the moment we lost the ball, we were two-v-one against their number nine. Instead of what Mo (Mohamed Salah) usually does, which is getting a cross in or getting a shot in, he squared it just behind. Then give credit to the other team for how many bodies they sprinted to our 18-yard box.
“It’s fine margins and the best way is to not lose the ball, and if you do lose it, then lose it with a shot so it ends up in a corner kick or a goal-kick. But do not lose it at your own 18-yard line or where Dominik lost it.”
Photo by Liverpool FC/Liverpool FC via Getty ImagesDominik Szoboszlai is at risk of getting dropped at Liverpool
Szoboszlai has found himself in a difficult situation now following his mistake against Bournemouth.
The Liverpool midfielder is a great player and can win the game for his side on his day, but we think he is going to lose his place in the starting lineup now.
That’s because Ryan Gravenberch, who was phenomenal last season, will be available for the next game after missing the opener due to suspension.
For the Dutchman to come in, one Liverpool midfielder will have to make way, and we can’t see either Florian Wirtz or Alexis Mac Allister getting dropped.
So, unfortunately for Szoboszlai, he may find himself on the bench when Liverpool take on Newcastle United in their second game.