ReactionDominik Szoboszlai: How half-time talks led to Wolves turnaround
Dominik Szoboszlai detailed the half-time rallying conversations that led to Liverpool’s dramatic comeback at Wolverhampton Wanderers.
After 45 minutes of Saturday’s Premier League meeting at Molineux the Reds trailed to Hwang Hee-chan’s strike, with the home side the more threatening team.
But changes deployed during the break led to another rousing turnaround on the road for Jürgen Klopp’s men, one started on the scoresheet by Cody Gakpo’s close-range finish.
Andy Robertson’s deft one-two with Mohamed Salah and conversion put Liverpool in front five minutes from the end, and a Hugo Bueno own goal from Harvey Elliott’s shot wrapped up three points.
Asked for the key factor in the comeback, Szoboszlai told Liverpoolfc.com: “That we didn’t give up.
“At half-time the manager talked to us about the passion and what we needed in the second half, the work and what we needed to put into the game. I think we switched the formation and then everybody did their job and we turned the game.”
The result against Wolves represented a fourth consecutive top-flight win for the Reds – and the third achieved from a losing position.
“I think everyone would be even happier if we were not 1-0 down!” summer signing Szoboszlai continued. “But if we like to win like this then let’s continue, but let’s win at the end of the day, always.”
The No.8 was again named in a starting midfield three alongside Curtis Jones and Alexis Mac Allister for the lunchtime kick-off.
Szoboszlai then dropped slightly deeper to form a ‘double-six’ with Jones in the second half as Klopp shuffled personnel and restructured the system.
“If I have to play there then I’m playing there,” he said of his role after the interval.
“I had to concentrate and focus more on the defensive way, but still I was up there trying to help the team, getting a few shots that didn’t happen for me today. But next time!”
On the speed with which he has adapted to Liverpool since arriving from RB Leipzig, he added: “Well, I’m just doing my things and I’m really happy that it has happened so fast.
“I also want to say thanks to the guys who have helped me a lot and thanks to the manager who gives me so many minutes to show myself in the Premier League and in this team. I just want to continue that.”