Dominik Szoboszlai explains role in Mo Salah's derby day penalty

Dominik Szoboszlai has explained his contribution to Mohamed Salah's game-changing penalty in Liverpool's Merseyside derby win on Saturday afternoon.

Liverpool were struggling to break down a stubborn Blues back-line in the second half of yesterday's contest, creating little to nothing of note as the game remained goalless.

However, they were handed a chance to score in the 75th minute when Luis Diaz's cross struck the outstretched arm of Michael Keane, leading to Craig Pawson pointing to the spot.

Salah stepped up and emphatically converted, giving the Reds the elusive lead - but to make sure there was no funny business in the lead up to the spot-kick, Liverpool's Hungarian sensation was on hand to keep the opposition in check.

“To be honest I saw it from behind so I was probably 95% sure that it was going to be a penalty,” Szoboszlai told LFCTV.

“I just held the ball so nobody took it and stood there to protect the penalty spot. We are a team.”

The Reds went on to win the derby, sealing the points in the 97th minute as Salah finished off a ferocious counter-attack to grab his second of the game.

Reflecting on his first taste of derby action, Szoboszlai was taken aback by the Anfield atmosphere that accompanies the occasion.

"I didn't expect that big atmosphere," he added.

"As I said before, playing at Anfield is something special. I have played in a lot of stadiums, but this is one of the best.

"It's always nice and always good but today was something special. Some guys told me already it was going to be a good one.

"We just do always the same thing but even today in everybody's head was like, 'today's a derby'.

Szoboszlai also welcomed the advantageous position Liverpool found themselves in, being a man up for an hour of the contest after Everton right-back Ashley Young saw red in the 37th minute.

"We were in a good position when they went to 10 men because at times this season," he said.

"We have played with 10 or nine men, I know how it feels to play with 10 men so I know how they feel.

"You have to be focused until the end - we take the three points and move onto the next game."