Liverpool vs Barnsley live: Ekitike and Wirtz goals book spot in FA Cup fourth round | OneFootball

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Slot agrees Liverpool are slow and boring at the moment

Liverpool booked their spot in the fourth round of the FA Cup after a tense and nervous 4-1 victory over League One side Barnsley.

The Reds may have thought it would be an easy outing against a side two leagues lower than them in the football pyramid but their assumptions were blown away inside the opening minute as former academy player Adam Phillips set up Davis Keillor-Dunn for a headed effort which struck the post.

Liverpool then took the lead through Dominik Szoboszlai who fired in a strike from range to put the hosts in control and their momentum was boosted by a similarly well-struck shot from Jeremie Frimpong.

On the stroke of half-time, Szoboszlai miscued an attempted backheel in his own box which set up Phillips to score for Barnsley and they headed into the break with belief of an upset.

The second half saw Reyes Cleary go down in the box but the referee waved away the penalty shouts as Barnsley frustrated Liverpool. Arne Slot then called on his substitutes with Florian Wirtz and Hugo Ekitike coming on to score a final two goals and send Liverpool into the next round.

Pinned

Dominik Szoboszlai marries the sublime with the ridiculous on night of mixed fortune

Few score from 30 yards and create a goal with a backheel in the same game. When a player does, it could be cause for unadulterated joy. The sight of a crestfallen Dominik Szoboszlai told another tale. He struck for Liverpool in spectacular style, gifted Barnsley a goal with an embarrassing blunder and was the man of the match in the sense it revolved around him to a remarkable extent; Barnsley wanted a penalty for his shirt tug on the lively Reyes Cleary. The night ended with Liverpool progressing in the FA Cup simultaneously because of and despite Szoboszlai.

Dominik Szoboszlai marries the sublime with the ridiculous on night of mixed fortune

Liverpool 4-1 Barnsley: The action at Anfield revolved around the midfielder who helped guide Arne Slot’s men into the FA Cup fourth round

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Richard Jolly at Anfield12 January 2026 22:03

Liverpool need time to gel

"I think we need a little bit more time to get to know each other better,” said Szoboszlai after the game.

“From the summer on I think we have developed a lot. All the new guys have settled well, I think.

“I'm happy for Florian and Hugo and for all the guys."

Mike Jones12 January 2026 22:10

Barnsley will feel the scoreline flatters Liverpool

Richard Jolly at Anfield12 January 2026 21:45

Full-time! Liverpool 4-1 Barnsley

There goes the final whistle, Liverpool head into the fourth round and in the end get the job done without too many issues.

Mike Jones12 January 2026 21:44