Player Ratings: Dominik Szoboszlai has a shocker as Liverpool beat Barnsley | OneFootball

Liverpool edge past Barnsley in FA Cup Third Round despite wobble

Liverpool are into the fourth round of the FA Cup, yet anyone who only glanced at the 4-1 scoreline against Barnsley would be forgiven for thinking this was a routine evening at Anfield. It was not. The FA Cup Third Round has a habit of stripping away assumptions and this tie did exactly that, forcing Liverpool to confront their own sloppiness before quality eventually told.

Arne Slot named a strong side, a clear signal that the competition still matters at this stage. Within 30 seconds, however, the plan nearly unravelled as Barnsley struck the post from point-blank range. It was a reminder that intensity cannot be toggled on demand, even against League One opposition.

Early control without early comfort

Liverpool did respond with authority. Dominik Szoboszlai, erratic but influential throughout, opened the scoring with a thunderous strike from 25 yards, a goal that suggested order had been restored. Jeremie Frimpong doubled the lead with a superb finish after driving forward, continuing his impressive run of form.

Yet Liverpool never quite imposed themselves. Passing lacked tempo, defensive concentration wavered and Barnsley sensed vulnerability. That sense became reality just before half time when Szoboszlai gifted Adam Phillips a tap-in. It was the sort of error that changes the mood inside a stadium and suddenly the tie felt uncomfortably alive.

Szoboszlai symbolises Liverpool’s uneven night

Szoboszlai’s evening neatly summed up Liverpool’s performance. He was capable of the sublime and the self destructive, veering between match-winning quality and careless decision making. His mistake was costly, but he also produced moments that should have ended the contest sooner, including a magnificent cross that Florian Wirtz somehow failed to convert.

Photo: IMAGO

Barnsley deserve credit. They pressed intelligently, stayed compact and kept Liverpool honest far longer than many expected. For long stretches, this looked less like a mismatch and more like a test of patience and professionalism.

Substitutes add gloss and progress

Ultimately, Liverpool’s depth proved decisive. Wirtz atoned for his miss with a composed curled finish to make it 3-1, before turning provider late on for Hugo Ekitike, who tapped in to add gloss to the scoreline. The fourth goal finally reflected the gulf in resources, if not always in performance.

Liverpool now move on to a fourth round meeting with Brighton, progress secured but lessons noted. In the FA Cup Third Round, survival matters more than style, though Slot will know refinement is required.

Player Ratings

Liverpool:

Barnsley: