Why Szoboszlai apologized to Liverpool fans before the Champions League clash with PSG

Dominik Szoboszlai, widely regarded as Liverpool’s player of the season, apologized to club supporters on Monday for what he described as a ‘misunderstanding’.

The midfielder has been in excellent form in a difficult season for Liverpool, scoring 12 goals, including stunning strikes against Arsenal and Manchester City.

But his reaction after the 4-0 FA Cup defeat to City this month – shrugging his shoulders, raising his arms and clapping towards the away fans – was interpreted by some as sarcasm when video footage was shared on social media.

He was led away by teammate Federico Chiesa as boos rang out from the away end of the Etihad Stadium.

Ahead of the Champions League quarter-final against Paris Saint-Germain, Szoboszlai attempted to set the record straight.

“Maybe it was a misunderstanding between me and the fans,” he said. «I didn’t mean it in a bad way. I know what the fans mean to this club and what the club means to the fans.»

«We do everything for the fans, just like they do for us. If it was a misunderstanding, I apologize. I don’t feel better than them, I feel exactly the same as them. I am with them, we are with them and hopefully they are with us too.»

Liverpool are 2-0 behind after the first leg in Paris and are hoping for a familiar turnaround against the defending champions.

In the 2019 semi-finals, the Merseyside club defeated Barcelona 4-0 at Anfield after losing the first leg 3-0.

Something similarly heroic will be needed against PSG, who completely dominated the first leg in Paris last week.

“There is a belief that we can do special things tomorrow, but we have to be very, very, very special tomorrow to achieve that because we are playing against the champions of Europe,” manager Arne Slot said. “We know we need an exceptional performance to advance to the next round.”

Published on April 13, 2026