Liverpool midfielder Dominik Szoboszlai has come under heavy criticism by former Everton star Andros Townsend for his display at Euro 2024 with Hungary.
Even before his nation kicked off their campaign against Switzerland, the 23-year-old had set a record by becoming the youngest captain at a European Championship.
Though he led out Hungary, it would have been understandable if viewers forgot the Liverpool midfielder was playing. In the opening 45 minutes, Szoboszlai rarely touched the ball with Switzerland racing into a two-goal lead while Hungary struggled to make an impact on the game.
However, that changed in the second period with Szoboszlai much more involved and a key reason behind Hungary getting back in the game.
After moving quickly up the pitch, the former RB Leipzig man was found in some space on the left and he promptly delivered an excellent cross which was headed home by Barnabas Varga.
Having found a route back into the game, Hungary kept pushing but it was their opponents who scored next with substitute Breel Embolo taking advantage of a defensive error to score Switzerland’s third and wrap up the three points in added time.
While Szoboszlai eventually made an impact on the game, Townsend was left far from impressed by what he did just moments before his assist.
After seeing a decision go against him, Szoboszlai reacted angrily with the Luton Town man, who scored seven goals in 27 appearances for Everton before injury cut short his Goodison Park career, seemingly questioning his attitude.
Speaking as co-commentator on ITV, Townsend said:
“When you have got a player like Szoboszlai, he is your talisman, he is your captain, he is your leader, he is your best player.
“You need his energy. You feed off his energy. You need him to be positive. You can’t have him throwing his arms up, walking around the pitch with a face on him.”
Following Townsend’s comments, he seems to be concerned about Szoboszlai’s application when things aren’t going his way, which could serve as a stern warning to new Liverpool head coach Arne Slot.
However, Szoboszlai appears to be aware he must improve his game following his admission about his season at Liverpool ahead of the Euros.
“I’ve just finished a difficult season,” he said at a press conference.
“But since this was my first in the Premier League, I’m not dissatisfied with my performance, although I definitely want to have a better season next time.
“I usually think positively, so it didn’t bother me that I played a smaller role at Liverpool at the end of the season. At least the chance of injury was lower and I could focus on the European Championship earlier.”
