LIVERPOOL, England — A visibly frustrated Dominik Szoboszlai delivered a stark warning to his Liverpool teammates after their 1-1 draw with Tottenham Hotspur on Sunday, stating that if their dismal form continues, the club “should be happy with the Conference League” .
The Hungary international had given the hosts an early lead at Anfield with another stunning free kick, curling a beautiful effort past Guglielmo Vicario in the 3rd minute . But Richarlison bundled home a controversial 90th-minute equalizer—his first Premier League goal of the season—to leave Liverpool stranded in fifth place and extend their winless run to four league games .
“That is a huge disappointment,” Szoboszlai told Sky Sports. “I don’t know what happened, I have nothing to say. In the last minute, again, I don’t know how many times this season already. We have to wake up” .
‘I Feel Flat’
Szoboszlai did not mince words when assessing the team’s current trajectory.
“I feel flat. We have to wake up because if we carry on like this, we should be happy with the Conference League,” he said, referring to UEFA’s third-tier competition. “I don’t know why this is happening, I honestly don’t know” .
The midfielder praised the first-half performance but lamented the drop-off after the break.
“I think in the first half we played very well, we controlled the whole game and they hardly created chances apart from one or two headers. Second half we just didn’t do the same things. We will sit down together, and this is the most difficult time, but we have to stick together” .
The full-time whistle was greeted by boos from the Anfield crowd, with many players looking shell-shocked as they left the pitch .
Szoboszlai: ‘Understand the Boos’
Szoboszlai admitted he could understand the supporters’ frustration, even if he didn’t hear the jeers in the moment.
“I didn’t hear the boos, but we can understand them,” he said. “We are not performing how we should. They should stand behind us because last season we became champions four games before the end, everybody was happy. Support us in a difficult time” .
He added: “There is still time to show how much we want it, we have to stick together and fight for the club” .
Slot: ‘Frustration Is Understandable’
Liverpool manager Arne Slot acknowledged the growing discontent but urged his team to channel it positively ahead of a crucial Champions League second leg against Galatasaray on Wednesday .
“I think it is understandable for fans to be frustrated because it has happened already so many times that they have seen the home team not picking up the points they’re expecting due to goals conceded in the last minute,” Slot said in his post-match news conference .
“Now it is up to us to bring that frustration to [the Galatasaray game on] Wednesday and come up with a big performance” .
Liverpool trail the Turkish side 1-0 on aggregate after the first leg .
The Equalizer: Controversy and Collapse
Richarlison’s 90th-minute goal came after a chaotic sequence in the box. The Brazilian tapped in from close range after a deflected cross fell to him, though replays suggested the ball may have struck his arm before crossing the line. VAR checked and upheld the goal .
For Liverpool, it was the latest in a string of late concessions that have derailed their season. The Reds have now dropped 18 points from winning positions in the Premier League this campaign—the most of any team .
The Table: Champions League Hanging by a Thread
The result leaves Liverpool in fifth place on 53 points, two points behind fourth-placed Aston Villa and one ahead of Chelsea in sixth .
While fifth place will likely still be enough for Champions League qualification due to UEFA’s coefficient calculations, the manner of the collapse has raised serious questions about Slot’s ability to steady the ship .
Liverpool have won just two of their last nine Premier League games and face a daunting run-in that includes trips to Chelsea and Aston Villa, plus a home Merseyside derby against Everton .
What’s Next
Liverpool travel to Istanbul on Wednesday for the second leg of their Champions League Round of 16 tie against Galatasaray, trailing 1-0 . A loss would eliminate them from Europe entirely, leaving only the Premier League to salvage—a prospect that now looks increasingly bleak .
As Szoboszlai put it bluntly: “We have to wake up” .
