Szoboszlai warns Liverpool must “wake up” after late Spurs equaliser

March 16, 2026 Oliver Obel

Liverpool’s push for a Champions League place suffered another setback on Sunday after a late Tottenham goal denied them victory at Anfield, prompting Dominik Szoboszlai to issue a blunt warning about the team’s form.

The Hungarian midfielder said Liverpool must “wake up” during the final stretch of the season after Richarlison’s 90th-minute equaliser cancelled out his first-half opener.

Szoboszlai had put Liverpool ahead in the 18th minute, curling in a free-kick — his third set-piece goal of the campaign — as the hosts controlled much of the first half.

But Spurs struck late when Richarlison scored in stoppage time, ending Tottenham’s six-match losing run and leaving Liverpool frustrated after dropping points again.

The draw also prevented Liverpool from moving into fourth place following Aston Villa’s 3-1 defeat to Manchester United earlier in the day, keeping the race for Champions League qualification tightly contested.

Szoboszlai delivers blunt assessment

Speaking to Sky Sports reporter Patrick Davison after the match, Szoboszlai admitted he was struggling to explain Liverpool’s latest late setback.

"I don't know what happened, I have nothing to say," he said.

The midfielder then delivered a stark warning about the final weeks of the campaign.

"Again in the last minute I don't know how many times this season already. We have to wake up."

"We have to wake up because there are eight or nine games to go. If we keep going like this, next season we should be happy if we play Conference League."

Asked why Liverpool continue to concede late goals, the Hungary captain said he had no clear answer.

"I don't know why this is happening, I honestly don't know."

Frustration after late goal

Szoboszlai said Liverpool had controlled the opening stages of the match but lost their intensity after the break.

"I think in the first-half we played very well, we controlled the whole game and they hardly created chances apart from one or two headers. Second half we just didn't do the same things."

"We will sit down together, and this is the most difficult time, but we have to stick together."

The midfielder also addressed the reaction from supporters after boos were heard around Anfield at the final whistle.

"I didn't hear the boos, but we can understand them," he said.

"We are not performing how we should. They should stand behind us because last season we became Champions four games before the end everybody was happy. Support us in a difficult time," he added.

"There is still time to show how much we want it, we have to stick together and fight for the club."

Liverpool return to Anfield on Wednesday for the Champions League round-of-16 second leg against Galatasaray. Arne Slot’s side trail 1-0 after Mario Lemina scored the only goal in the first leg in Istanbul.

https://twitter.com/TheRedmenTV/status/2033258025314587088

Sources: Sky Sports, The Redmen TV