Liverpool star's national team coach fires back at interference claims after player's international duty.
On 29 Mar 2026 GMT+7, Marco Rossi, Hungary's national team coach, gave an interview regarding Arne Slot, Liverpool's manager, about the use of midfielder Dominik Szoboszlai.
Arne Slot appealed to national team coaches to protect Liverpool players during the March FIFA window due to concerns about fatigue, with Dominik Szoboszlai being one of Liverpool's top players this season.
Dominik Szoboszlai has scored 12 goals and provided 8 assists in 43 appearances for Liverpool this season, ranking just behind Virgil van Dijk and Alexis Mac Allister, who each have 45 appearances, and has also filled in at right back during injuries to Jeremy Frimpong and Conor Bradley.
Liverpool is currently vying for a Premier League top-four finish to secure a UEFA Champions League spot next season, sitting 5th with 49 points, behind 3rd place Manchester United with 55 points and 4th place Aston Villa with 54 points; Chelsea is close behind in 6th with 48 points.
However, Marco Rossi immediately responded to Liverpool's coach in an interview with Hungarian media Magyar Hirlap, stating, "Personally, I have never spoken with Slot nor have I been involved in any decisions about when Dominik would play at right back."
"But I expect that he will not interfere with my work. I am not the only one making these decisions, and I am not responsible for deciding who plays."
"If Dominik says he wants to rest, of course I will allow it. But we know he is the national team captain, and wearing the national jersey is his top priority."
"If we need to conserve his energy, whether for himself or anyone else, that is possible. However, for us, the national team comes first. Right now, the focus is on playing well."
Most recently, Hungary fielded Dominik Szoboszlai in a friendly 1-0 win over Slovenia last night, substituting him for Peter Barath in the 87th minute. Hungary has one more match against Greece on Tuesday, 31 Mar 2026 GMT+7, before Szoboszlai returns to help Liverpool face Manchester City in the FA Cup quarterfinals on Saturday, 4 Apr 2026 GMT+7.
