ReactionDominik Szoboszlai on Liverpool 4-0 Galatasaray, goals, PSG quarter-final and more

A last-eight tie with Paris Saint-Germain awaits for Arne Slot’s side next month after they emphatically overturned Galatasaray’s one-goal, first-leg lead in the Round of 16.

Szoboszlai opened the scoring with a superb finish in the first half on Wednesday night, with Hugo Ekitike, Ryan Gravenberch and Mohamed Salah then netting in the early stages of the second period.

Post-game, the No.8 – who was voted Carlsberg Player of the Match by supporters – spoke to TNT Sports. Read a summary of the interview below.

On how much the team needed the result and performance…

Very much… I think today we showed the right direction where we want to go and what we want to show everybody – especially each other because it starts with us. I know the fans can be unhappy with us but if we are unhappy with ourselves, that’s a problem [and] if we are happy with ourselves probably everybody is going to be happy with us. And I think it’s a good step forward, a very good step, quarter-finals [for the] first time in my life and for a lot of us. So yeah, we move on.

• Read our match report from Anfield

On how he has scored big goals at important times this season…

Well, to be honest, I don’t really care when I’m scoring, how I’m scoring, I just want to score. I just want to help the team, I just want to do everything possible for the team to succeed, and if it comes in a game like this then I’m really happy. But I think I would be also happy on Saturday if I can get one.

On whether he had to readjust to hit his shot that he scored with with his left foot, rather than his right…

To be honest, yeah, it was supposed to [be on his right foot] – as you see, my direction in how I go to the ball is straight and then I have to react because it was really close to the back line of the defenders. But yeah, it looks like I don’t only have a right foot!

On his own form this season…

I’m trying to do my best and taking maybe more responsibility than in the last two years. But I think that’s the way how you grow and how you become a better player.

On how much inspiration he takes from Steven Gerrard and the similarities in his game to the former captain’s…

Well, it’s a nice compliment for me. Obviously when I was a child [I was] watching him playing, now wearing the No.8, so it’s an unbelievable feeling and I think it’s inspiration for everybody, for each of us. [He is] A club legend, nothing else to say. I’m just happy to play for this club and hopefully keep on going.

On the prospect of a quarter-final against PSG…

First we have to take this [the mentality shown against Galatasaray] to Saturday because it’s also important game and then everybody goes to international break. Yeah, but watching them playing against Chelsea, they didn’t become a worse team than last season. So, they are a really good team but I think we showed it today that we are able to do everything.

• Confirmed Champions League quarter-final fixture details

On Wednesday's performance being perfect blueprint for Saturday’s visit to Brighton & Hove Albion and the rest of the campaign...

Yeah, for sure, for sure. Every game should be the same. I know it’s difficult because Champions League night at Anfield, lights on, good weather, nice pitch, and then to go to Brighton at 12.30pm, it’s not the same. But we need the same energy, we need everybody, the whole squad, because in two days we play again.