Erling Haaland caught the attention of football fans online after reacting to Dominik Szoboszlai’s performance in Liverpool’s 4–1 FA Cup victory over Barnsley. The Manchester City striker shared a playful Snapchat post aimed at his former teammate, and it quickly began circulating across social media.
Although Liverpool eventually pulled away with a convincing scoreline at Anfield, the match itself was far from straightforward. The Reds started brightly, with Szoboszlai opening the scoring early before Jeremie Frimpong doubled the advantage to give the home side early breathing space.
However, the game took an unexpected twist when Szoboszlai made a costly mistake inside his own penalty area. That error allowed Barnsley back into the contest and raised tension among the home supporters. Liverpool’s control only returned late in the match, as substitutes Florian Wirtz and Hugo Ekitike combined effectively in the closing stages to seal the win.
While the FA Cup third round is known for its drama, this tie lacked the chaos seen elsewhere. Macclesfield Town shocked Crystal Palace via penalties, and Manchester City demolished Exeter City in emphatic fashion. Still, Haaland clearly had eyes on events at Anfield.
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Haaland’s Snapchat Nod to His Former Teammate
Szoboszlai once again showcased his shooting ability with a spectacular long-range strike, curling the ball into the top corner from outside the box. Despite the quality of the goal, the Liverpool midfielder kept his celebration low-key.
That restrained reaction prompted Haaland to post a light-hearted message on Snapchat, praising the strike while jokingly urging his friend to enjoy the moment more. The message resonated with fans who know the close relationship between the two players.
Haaland and Szoboszlai built a strong bond during their time together at RB Salzburg, and the City striker has previously described the Hungarian as one of his closest friends in football. That friendship has endured despite their clubs being fierce rivals in recent Premier League title races.
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A Mixed Night for Szoboszlai
For much of the game, Szoboszlai appeared set for another standout performance. He worked tirelessly in midfield, drove Liverpool forward, and added to his goal tally for the season with a stunning opener.
But just before half-time, a moment of overconfidence changed the narrative. After recovering possession in his own half, Szoboszlai attempted an audacious backheel inside the box. The move went wrong, leaving Barnsley with a simple opportunity to score.
Barnsley head coach Conor Hourihane later criticised the decision, suggesting the midfielder showed a lack of respect and would not attempt such a risky move in higher-profile matches. Szoboszlai, however, has since held his hands up, apologising to his teammates for the error.
Despite the mistake, Liverpool advanced, and the night ultimately served as another reminder of both Szoboszlai’s brilliance — and the fine line between confidence and risk at the highest level of the game ⚽🔥
