Frustrated Liverpool star 'takes responsibility' for mixed start to World Cup qualifying

Feargal Brennan

Frustrated Liverpool star 'takes responsibility' for mixed start to World Cup qualifying  image

Arne Slot's Liverpool stars have arrived back from international duty ahead of their Premier League return.

The defending champions won all three of their August games with six matches now on the schedule in September split across league. EFL Cup and UEFA Champions League action.

The confidence gained by such a strong start to the domestic campaign has bred optimism in Slot's ranks over a title defence, but 2026 FIFA World Cup qualification remains on the minds of his players.

As part of a compacted qualifying structure, the majority of UEFA nations will play six games before the end of 2025, plus potential playoffs in March 2026.

Two matches each in September, October and November will decide most of Europe's spots in the tournament next summer including Dominik Szoboszlai's Hungary.

Captain Szoboszlai led Hungary in their two qualifiers last week alongside Reds teammate Milos Kerkez but it was mixed overall window.

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After being reduced to ten men in Dublin, Hungary surrendered a two-goal lead to draw 2-2 with the Republic of Ireland, and Joao Cancelo's late goal snatched a 3-2 win for Portugal in Budapest.

That leaves Hungary level on one point gained with Ireland - as Heimir Hallgrimsson's side lost 2-1 in Armenia - with Portugal leading Group F with six.

Szoboszlai, autor do gol de empate em Hungria e Alemanha

The likely race for second place - and the playoffs - will restart for Hungary in October, with an away double header against Portugal and Armenia, and Szoboszlai was left frustrated by that late equaliser in the Irish capital.

"We're over two emotional games. I feel like there was more than one point in this," he posted on social media.

"I'm responsible for this, but from the beginning to the end we fought as a team and we will build on this in the next matches. Thank you for the amazing support, we will come back in October!"

Ireland's defeat in Yerevan left their qualification hopes - and Hallgrimsson's job - hanging by a thread ahead of an October trip to Lisbon and a home clash with Armenia.

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Feargal Brennan

Feargal is a content producer for The Sporting News. He has been working with TSN since the start of 2022 after stints with Reach, Amazon UK and Squawka in a nomadic career in the football media pyramid. Always with a keen eye on Arteta's 'Reds' and Kenny's Ireland 'Greens' and a 100% five-a-side penalty record.