By LEWIS STEELE, FOOTBALL REPORTER
Published: 07:00 EST, 11 January 2026 | Updated: 07:00 EST, 11 January 2026
Liverpool boss Arne Slot insists he will not make wholesale changes for their FA Cup third-round tie against Barnsley – after learning from mistakes made at Plymouth last year.
The Premier League champions fielded a heavily-rotated team down in Devon in the fourth round and Argyle, a Championship side at the time, went on to record one of the most famous victories in their history.
But with the title all but gone and Liverpool out of the Carabao Cup this season, Slot has less reason to leave his star men at home and has vowed the big-name players will be on the bench at least.
‘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,’ he said ahead of their home clash with League One Barnsley on Monday night.
‘But it is obvious that we are not in the League Cup any more and the FA Cup has always been very important for this club. Sometimes in a season, you are still competing for the League Cup, the Champions League and the league.
‘With the amount of players we had last season, you have to make choices. I can guarantee you that on Monday you will see all the players you saw (against Arsenal on Thursday), maybe with some substitutions.
‘But then they will be on the bench so that is going to be different from last season against Plymouth.’
Plymouth pulled off one of the greatest wins in their history by beating Liverpool last season in the fourth round of the FA Cup
Liverpool boss Arne Slot has vowed to learn the lessons of that chastening afternoon in Devon
Hugo Ekitike is in contention to return against the League One side on Monday night
Hugo Ekitike is expected to be back in contention for the clash against the Tykes, managed by Conor Hourihane, after the French striker missed the trip to north London where Liverpool played well in a 0-0 draw.
Wataru Endo is set to return to training this week but will not be fit for the visit of Barnsley, while Mohamed Salah is not available still due to the Africa Cup of Nations. Several youngsters, like Rio Ngumoha and Trey Nyoni, could be set for minutes.
Federico Chiesa is another who will be hoping for a start and Slot added: ‘I spoke to him two days ago and he said he played more in the recent weeks than he ever did before under me but he is one of the players that could feature in that game, definitely.
‘But like I said Hugo might be back so let’s see how we might start that game and he is one of the options that I have so let’s see.’