Liverpool avoid a shock against Barnsley and advance in the FA Cup

Liverpool booked their place in the fourth round of the FA Cup after a deserved 4–1 victory over third-division side Barnsley.

Liverpool started the match with clear intensity, reflecting their determination to avoid any early surprises like the one that saw them knocked out of the competition last season by Plymouth Argyle. Hungarian midfielder Dominik Szoboszlai did not wait long to open the scoring, unleashing a stunning long-range strike in the ninth minute, capitalizing on a rebound off the post following an early header from Barnsley defender Davis Keillor-Dunn in the opening seconds of the match.

The goal underlined the confidence enjoyed by the Hungarian midfielder and highlighted his ability to decide games from distance — a trait he has long been known for since his days with RB Leipzig.

The Reds continued to apply attacking pressure, and Dutch right-back Jeremie Frimpong netted his first goal in a Liverpool shirt during his maiden FA Cup appearance, firing a fine left-footed shot in the 36th minute to double the hosts’ lead and give them a comfortable advantage before half-time.

However, the match was not without unexpected twists. In the 40th minute, Szoboszlai committed an uncharacteristic error when he attempted a backheel pass to Georgian goalkeeper Giorgi Mamardashvili. Adam Phillips, a former Liverpool academy graduate, pounced on the mistake to pull a goal back for Barnsley, scoring a goal that carried a special emotional significance.

In the second half, Barnsley tried to claw their way back into the contest, with their players fighting for every ball. They also appealed for a penalty in the 61st minute after striker Reece Coley went down following contact with Szoboszlai, but the referee waved play on. It is worth noting that VAR is only introduced in this competition from the fifth round onwards.

As the match approached its conclusion, Liverpool sealed the result when substitute Florian Wirtz struck the third goal in the 84th minute with a superb curling effort, making amends for an earlier missed chance. French forward Hugo Ekitike then wrapped up the scoring in the fourth minute of stoppage time.

The team selection choices of Dutch head coach Arne Slot reflected Liverpool’s seriousness in approaching the competition, as he made six changes to the side that had drawn goalless with Arsenal in the league, while maintaining a balance between experienced first-team players and younger talents.

After the match, Szoboszlai’s attempted backheel pass drew criticism from Barnsley manager Conor Hourihane, who described it as disrespectful. However, the Hungarian midfielder was quick to apologize, stressing that such mistakes can happen in football.

With this victory, Liverpool continue their journey in the world’s oldest football competition and set up an eagerly anticipated fourth-round clash with Brighton & Hove Albion, as their supporters keep alive their hopes of mounting a serious challenge for the trophy this season.