Liverpool duo Dominik Szoboszlai and Luis Diaz have been awarded places in the Team of the Week
Garth Crooks has hailed Liverpool duo Dominik Szoboszlai and Luis Diaz as the pair were named in the BBC Team of the Week.
The duo helped the Reds to their first win of the season after opening their home campaign with a 3-1 victory over AFC Bournemouth. It was an encounter that wasn’t shy of controversy as Liverpool were awarded a penalty for a foul on Szoboszlai before Alexis Mac Allister was harshly sent off for a high-foot on Ryan Christie.
Antoine Semenyo handed Jurgen Klopp’s side an early scare after netting after just three minutes. Liverpool responded through Diaz and Mohamed Salah, before Diogo Jota prodded home moments after they were handed a man disadvantage.
The Reds move onto four points from their opening two encounters, returning to winning ways following their opening day draw with Chelsea.
Crooks heralded the Hungarian captain but issued a warning of the example Szoboszlai has to follow wearing the number eight shirt.
“He can certainly play,” he began. “Liverpool’s new signing Szoboszlai showed all the touches of a good player against Bournemouth and looks like he wants to be constantly involved in the play.
“Well, if he’s going to wear Liverpool’s number eight shirt, someone at Anfield had better tell him what that means and who has worn that shirt before him.
“Sammy Lee, Brian Hall, Jimmy Case and Steven Gerrard, who immortalised the jersey, have all worn that shirt with distinction. Szoboszlai needs to know he has big shoes to fill and a heart to match.
“He scored a well taken goal last week against Chelsea, but the improvisation Diaz displayed in his finish against Bournemouth shows just how competent he can be in front of goal,” he added on Diaz.
As part of the section surrounding the Colombian attacker, the pundit took the opportunity to take a swipe at the match officials following the decision to award the Reds a penalty then send off Mac Allister.
“The penalty awarded to Liverpool by referee Thomas Bramall was as surprising as it was unnecessary, however it was the dismissal of Alexis Mac Allister that was alarming,” Crooks continued.
“The tackle was high because the ball sat up, but the challenge was neither dangerous or reckless. Fans, players and managers should not be surprised by a sending off – it should be obvious – and this was not. If a referee is going to send a player off because he cannot determine the difference between a bad, dangerous or reckless foul, I question whether he should be out there at all.