25 November 2023 , 00:38
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Dominik Szoboszlai has stoked the fires ahead of Liverpool's visit to Manchester City on Saturday by mocking Pep Guardiola.
The Hungarian star's actions were perhaps justified though, given what transpired in the City manager's pre-match press conference. Guardiola faced the media on Friday ahead of the seismic Premier League clash, with just a point separating the leaders and Jurgen Klopp's side.
And the Spaniard was asked where he believed the main threat would come from the visitors. While one of his answers was predictable, and as it turned out, easy to pronounce, the other two names mentioned caused a stir on social media.
" Salah of course, but now with Szoboszlai and Gravenberch," was his reply. But it wasn't the inclusion of the two midfielders that prompted ridicule, but more so the manner of his pronunciation, with the 23-year-old called 'Szvolazi' by the 52-year-old.
Szoboszlai took to Instagram to respond with four laughing emojis. His Dutch teammate was also seemingly referred to as "Gravenerd," a notion that wasn't lost on football fans.
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"Salah who and who?" wrote @KM_243_, while @Beetlep95923146 warned: "Szoboszlai is gonna make sure he remembers his name tomorrow." @AndrasGrain joked "This is not cool, even if you are the great Pop Gardilo!"
Dominik Szoboszlai has mocked Pep GuardiolaHAVE YOUR SAY! Is Dominik Szoboszlai the next Steven Gerrard? Comment below.
Indeed, Szoboszlai is probably the one Liverpool player City would potentially not want to rile ahead of the game at the Etihad, given his form this season. Since switching from RB Leipzig in a £60million deal in the summer, the playmaker has been a revelation at Anfield, featuring in all 12 league games so far.
Gravenberch is also finding form following his deadline day move from Bayern Munich. The Dutchman's early appearances on Merseyside were mainly restricted to Europa League ties, but he's recently commanded a regular place in Klopp's starting XI.
The notion of a 12.30pm kick-off has been criticised by both managers, given the amount of players both clubs had away on international duty. However, that decision was made following consultations between Greater Manchester Police and the Premier League, following crowd trouble in the same fixture last season.