“Finally could have my chance” – Dominik Szoboszlai glad for free-kick vacancy

Dominik Szoboszlai was glad to have the chance to take a free-kick for Liverpool after watching another right-back take on the role in the past.

From a straight angle more than 32 yards out from goal, Szoboszlai lined up for an audacious attempt on goal, a rare free-kick attempt for the Hungarian in a Liverpool shirt.

His thumping strike clipped off the inside of the upright and left David Raya with no hopes of directing it away from his net, a calculated risk on Szoboszlai’s behalf.

“Luckily we could practice some free-kicks since the start of the season. I felt this was a bit further,” Szoboszlai told Sky Sports after the 1-0 win.

“I was like, ‘I’ll take the risk’. I was confident in myself, I tried it and finally [I’ve scored from a free-kick].

“It was a long time ago [to take one], when you practice all the time. Now I should mention Trent because, as you know, he was taking the free-kicks because he has an unbelievable shot.

“Finally I could have my chance and did it!

“To be honest, this shot I didn’t practice in the past few weeks because we were shooting from closer, and if you are closer I shoot a different way.

Dominik Szoboszlai (centre) celebrates scoring their side's first goal during the Premier League match at Anfield, Liverpool. Picture date: Sunday August 31, 2025. (Alamy Photo)

“I had to take a risk and shoot a little bit harder because I knew Raya likes to jump behind the ball. He’s an unbelievable goalkeeper so if it goes a bit more inside, he saves it.”

The goal was Szoboszlai’s sixth this calendar year for Liverpool, only this time it came as part of another impressive performance at right-back.

The 24-year-old has excelled in the position across the last two fixtures and against Arsenal combined his goal with the most defensive contributions (14) of any player.

He is one of the first names on the team sheet and now, no doubt, the go-to for free kicks – even if they are more than 30 yards out!

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