Liverpool's Dominik Szoboszlai and Milos Kerkez were singled out for jeers from Northern Ireland supporters during a contentious international break. The pair featured in Hungary's 0-0 Nations League draw in Belfast on Monday evening, a result that leaves their side fourth in Group B2 with just one point.
Northern Ireland manager Michael O'Neill expressed his disappointment with the conduct of several Hungarian players after the final whistle. "I was disappointed with some of the Hungarian players' behaviour on the pitch, holding their faces and screaming," O'Neill said. The Liverpool duo were reportedly the focus of the home crowd's ire, a reaction linked by local tradition to their club affiliations at Anfield.
Fan reaction and criticism
Szoboszlai, in particular, was a lightning rod for attention. The 25-year-old midfielder was involved in several flashpoints, leaping to his feet and waving his arms after a challenge from Shea Charles. Hungarian media outlets later described the Liverpool star as looking 'evil' due to his animated reactions. Left-back Milos Kerkez also received persistent treatment from the stands and from Northern Ireland's Paddy Kelly during the first half. The match finished without a goal, extending Hungary's underwhelming start to their Nations League campaign.
Player background and club form
For Szoboszlai, the international break followed a strong start to the domestic season where he has netted three times in seven appearances for Liverpool. He scored a late goal in the recent 3-1 win over Tottenham. The club itself sits sixth in the Premier League with nine points from five games, building momentum with a four-match unbeaten run. Their next challenge is a massive one, hosting league leaders Manchester City at Anfield on October 11th in a fixture that could define their early-season ambitions.
Back on international duty, the focus now shifts for the Hungarian squad. They face Georgia next as they look to climb from the bottom of their group. Northern Ireland, meanwhile, remain second in the section with four points after a victory in Tbilisi. The incident in Belfast serves as an unwelcome distraction for Liverpool's key men as they return to Merseyside to prepare for a key period. The full fixtures list shows the scale of the task ahead, with the Manchester City clash looming large.
First reported at Daily Mirror Football
