Szoboszlai explains why Klopp "screamed at him" during Liverpool win

19 August 2023 , 17:36

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Dominik Szoboszlai was given some emphatic instructions from the touchline by Jurgen Klopp (Image: Liverpool FC)

Dominik Szoboszlai has revealed that Jurgen Klopp was screaming at him after he "forgot" to drop deeper during Liverpool's enthralling 3-1 victory over Bournemouth at Anfield.

The Reds banked all three points in their first home match of the new Premier League campaign but suffered an early scare when Antoine Semenyo nudged the visitors in front after just three minutes. Luis Diaz, Mohamed Salah and Diogo Jota scored to turn the game around, but Liverpool had to play the final half an hour with 10 men after Alexis Mac Allister was sent off.

Mac Allister's dismissal meant that Szoboszlai had to drop into the No.6 role that the Argentinian had been occupying - and the 22-year-old revealed after the match that he was reminded of his defensive responsibilities from the touchline by Klopp.

“I am feeling really, really great, I am really happy and I hope I can do even more here in front of the fans,” the Hungarian international told BBC Sport.

“We are there for each other and if somebody gets sent off then we change some of the things and I go back as a six. I cannot go forward as much, even the manager was screaming at me sometimes because I forget it. We fight for each other and we even scored after the red card."

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Szoboszlai admitted that Liverpool didn't start the match well enough but hailed the response that followed Semenyo's early opener.

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Klopp was vocal on the touchline during Liverpool's win over Bournemouth (PA)

He added: “The reaction after losing a goal was unbelievable. We had no stress, we were calm on the ball and in front of the goal. We changed some things and it worked. Of course, we will improve with time. We have a new team, new player and new system. We will be even better with time.”

Szoboszlai caught the eye in Liverpool's new-look midfield before Mac Allister was given his marching orders. The Reds started the campaign without a natural No.6 after selling Fabinho to Al-Ittihad last month but completed the signing of Stuttgart captain Wataru Endo on the eve of Saturday's win over Bournemouth.

Endo, a Japanese international, could come into Klopp's plans sooner rather than later in the absence of Mac Allister. Liverpool are also believed to be in the market for another midfielder ahead of the September 1 deadline.

Dan Marsh