Liverpool secures a decisive victory over Barnsley to advance to the FA Cup fourth round

The 4-1 triumph over Barnsley confirms Liverpool’s progression to the FA Cup fourth round, though the display at Anfield sparked varied reactions among supporters.

Facing a League One opponent, Liverpool was expected to have a straightforward match in the third round of the FA Cup, but the reality was quite different. Barnsley started confidently, causing the hosts to struggle in the opening minutes.

Just 29 seconds in, Davis Keillor-Dunn headed the ball against the post following Adam Phillips’ cross, signaling a challenging evening ahead for Arne Slot’s team.

After being pressed early on, Liverpool gradually took control and opened the scoring through an individual moment of brilliance. Dominik Szoboszlai received the ball from nearly 30 meters out and unleashed a powerful shot that goalkeeper Murphy Cooper couldn’t stop.

It was a beautiful goal but also the start of an emotional rollercoaster for the Hungarian midfielder. Shortly after, Jeremie Frimpong doubled the lead with a determined run and finish on the right flank, seemingly putting Liverpool at ease before halftime.

However, complacency cost the Anfield side dearly. Just before the break, Szoboszlai made a serious error by handling the ball insecurely inside the box, allowing Adam Phillips to score and reduce the deficit to 1-2 for Barnsley. This goal boosted the visitors’ morale and made the second half far more intense than initially expected.

Barnsley continued to play with determination after the break, even sparking controversy when Reyes Cleary went down in Liverpool’s penalty area but was denied a penalty. In this context, Arne Slot had to introduce strategic substitutes. The entries of Florian Wirtz and Hugo Ekitiké proved to be game-changing.

In the 86th minute, following a quick combination in the central area, Wirtz curled a perfect shot into the top corner, extinguishing any hopes Barnsley had of a comeback. In stoppage time, Wirtz again made his mark by assisting Ekitiké, who sealed a 4-1 victory for Liverpool. These late goals helped The Reds avoid a risky scenario and ended the match on a relieved note.

Although Liverpool advanced, their performance against Barnsley revealed several issues needing attention, especially regarding focus and game control against disciplined and determined opponents.

At the very least, this win takes Liverpool into the FA Cup fourth round and maintains their unbeaten streak, while Arne Slot gains valuable experience to refine the squad for the challenges ahead.