Arne Slot has promised Liverpool will have a strong lineup for Barnsley’s FA Cup visit on Monday, with the Dutchman suggesting only “some substitutions” from the XI that faced Arsenal.
FA Cup news: Slot’s tactical pivot vs. Barnsley
The guarantee:Arne Slot has confirmed senior players will feature against Barnsley, moving away from the wholesale changes that led to last season’s exit.
Lessons from Plymouth: Referencing last year’s shock defeat at Home Park, Slot admitted: “That’s going to be different than last season.”
Likely inclusions: Slot hinted “some” changes could be made, meaning Joe Gomez, Andy Robertson, Curtis Jones, and Federico Chiesa could come into consideration.
Liverpool’s January schedule continues at Anfield on Monday evening, with League One’s Barnsley the visitors, a game which supporters expect to see rotation.
However, Slot has guaranteed that “you will see all the players” who featured against Arsenal, with only a handful of tweaks in the reckoning as opposed to sweeping changes.
He told reporters immediately following the draw at Arsenal: “I think last season I made the decision that some players needed to rest in the FA Cup, because you cannot play every player every single time.
LONDON, ENGLAND - Thursday, January 8, 2026: Liverpool's players form a pre-match huddle before the FA Premier League match between Arsenal FC and Liverpool FC at the Emirates Stadium. (Photo by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)
“But it’s obvious that we’re not in the League Cup anymore, and the FA Cup has always been very important for us.
“But sometimes in a season where you are still competing for the League Cup, for the Champions League, and the league, with the amount of players we had last season and have this season, you have to make choices.
“But I can guarantee you that on Monday you will see all the players you see today (against Arsenal), maybe with some substitutions, but then they will be on the bench.
“So that’s going to be different than last season against Plymouth.”
What changes could Liverpool make vs. Barnsley?
LONDON, ENGLAND - Sunday, January 4, 2026: Liverpool's substitutes Joe Gomez (L) and Andy Robertson during the FA Premier League match between Fulham FC and Liverpool FC at Craven Cottage. (Photo by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)
The obvious enforced change will be for Conor Bradley after his serious-looking injury late against Arsenal, while Liverpool are doing “everything” to have Hugo Ekitike fit for the fixture.
Giorgi Mamardashvili, Joe Gomez, Andy Robertson, Curtis Jones and Federico Chiesa are the likeliest to be in contention for any tweaks Slot seeks to make to his starting lineup.
After miserably bowing out of the League Cup at Anfield against Crystal Palace, the Reds cannot afford to do the same against Barnsley, though Slot’s stance will surprise many.
The League One opposition will be viewed as an opportunity to rest key players, but after a quieter festive schedule than usual and five days before the next kickoff against Burnley, there is plenty of time for rest.
It does, however, withhold opportunities for the club’s academy players, with the early rounds of the competition typically utilised to reward up-and-coming youngsters.
Possible Liverpool XI: Mamardashvili; Frimpong, Gomez, Van Dijk, Robertson; Gravenberch, Jones, Mac Allister; Chiesa, Wirtz, Gakpo