Following a 0-0 draw at home to relegation candidates Fulham, Liverpool fans have absolutely torn into one player for their ‘fraudulent’ display as the Reds still look incapable of getting out of second gear under Andoni Iraola.
Anticipation was high at Anfield that, after a much more promising midweek performance in the Champions League against Atletico Madrid, they would be able to cruise into top gear against the Cottagers.
New £120 million signing Bradley Barcola had the pick of the chances after a link-up with Alexander Isak early into the second half. But the truth is, Iraola’s side struggled to create much of note in their latest Premier League tie.
Eleven shots, but only two landing on target, told much of the story. However, it’s not the attack that has taken the full brunt of the criticism. Instead, it was a player usually asymptomatic in Liverpool’s most lacklustre outings.
Liverpool Fans Tear Into ‘Fraud’ After Goalless Home Draw vs Fulham
Action Images via Reuters/Jason Cairnduff
The Reds still haven’t lost in the new post-Arne Slot era, but they’ve also seldom flattered to deceive. Leaving their shooting boots at home is what ultimately cost them on Merseyside this Saturday afternoon.
But while those up front struggled to make a difference, supporters were quick to note that Dominik Szoboszlai, mooted for a future captaincy role just last season, lacked much effort at all. One X user remarked:
“Worst part about [Dominik] Szoboszlai is that he walks around like he’s Zinedine Zidane, but he’s crap.”
A second added: “He’s the biggest fraud in football history. Scores a few worldies and thinks he’s [Steven] Gerrard.” Elsewhere, another wrote: “Letting him sign a new contract has set us back years.”
There was no room for positives in a performance that saw him be far too passive in midfield during a time when the Reds need defensive presence in the engine room now than ever, as a fourth X user concluded: “Liverpool need to find a different role for Szoboszlai.
“You can’t be an 8 in a deep pivot if you win 0 tackles, don’t track back & can’t see a line-breaking pass. He’s not good enough to build around, and doesn’t fit a midfield designed to platform [Florian] Wirtz. Stick him wing/fullback.”
Szoboszlai Not a Shining Light in Troubled Midfield
REUTERS/Phil Noble
Given the barrage of criticism the Hungarian has received this weekend, it’s clear that not one single midfielder at Liverpool is excluded when it comes to the troubles they face in the middle of the park.
While Szoboszlai often puts in the hard yards to be anywhere and everywhere on the pitch, he didn’t win a single tackle, while having won just one of his 10 total duels.