Reaction'I took a risk' - Dominik Szoboszlai analyses free-kick winner against Arsenal
Dominik Szoboszlai gained the perfect reward for the ‘risk’ he took in converting a stunning free-kick to give Liverpool victory over Arsenal.
The No.8 swirled a peach of a set-piece into the top corner from more than 30 yards in the closing stages of Sunday’s Anfield showdown between last season’s Premier League champions and runners-up.
Szoboszlai’s piece of quality was the difference on the afternoon, securing a 1-0 win for Arne Slot’s men and extending the 100 per cent start to their title defence to three games.
Post-match, the Hungarian - who again shone from an unorthodox right-back position - analysed the winning goal and the contest, speaking to Sky Sports. Read the Q&A below…
On if he knew the free-kick was going to go in as soon as he struck it…
Well, luckily since we started the season we could practise some free-kicks. I felt this was a little bit further. I was like, ‘I’ll take a risk.’ I was confident in myself so I tried it. Finally! Long time ago.
It was a long time ago [I last scored one], when you practise all the time. To be honest, I should mention Trent [Alexander-Arnold] because, as you know, he was taking the free-kicks because obviously he has an unbelievable shot. But finally I could have my chance and did it.
On if he practises that technique again and again…
To be honest, this shot I didn’t practise in the last few weeks because we were shooting from closer and if you are closer, I shoot a different way. But I had to take a risk and shoot it a little bit harder, because I knew of course [David] Raya likes to jump behind the wall and of course is an unbelievable goalkeeper. So, I think if it goes a little bit more inside, he saves it. I was looking at a lot of videos [of the goalkeeper].
On if it takes ‘risk’ to win matches like these…
Of course. They had an unbelievable season last season, and of course the two before that as well. Three times in a row coming second - to be honest, it’s a compliment because always to keep on going behind or with [Manchester] City, with us, with Chelsea, with these kinds of teams, it’s really hard and they always do it. They have an unbelievable team, an unbelievable coach. We have to keep on fighting.
On a late VAR check for a possible handball against him…
To be honest, if you don’t tell me now, I don’t even remember it. With corners and long throw-ins, it’s a jungle. I didn’t even notice that someone touched my arm, if it was the ball [or] if it was the guy. I don’t even know.