Liverpool will host Barnsley at Anfield on Monday in the third round of the 2025-26 FA Cup campaign. The home side have endured a difficult title-defending Premier League campaign this term but have seen results improve of late, most recently holding league leaders Arsenal to a goalless draw at the Emirates, and will hope to carry that momentum into the domestic cup this week.
Liverpool kicked off their FA Cup campaign last season in emphatic fashion, dispatching Accrington Stanley 4-0 with four different players finding the net. However, they were knocked out in the very next round after a shock 1-0 defeat to Plymouth Argyle and will be targeting a much deeper run in the competition this term.
Barnsley, meanwhile, opened their cup campaign last November, benefiting from a 91st-minute Marc Roberts winner to edge past York City 3-2. They were then drawn against Peterborough United in the next round and came away with a 1-0 victory, with Patrick Kelly coming off the bench to score the winner.
The visitors, who play in League One, have struggled for results in their recent league outings but will be keen to give a good account of themselves against top-flight opposition this week.
Liverpool vs Barnsley Head-to-Head and Key Numbers
The two teams have faced off 23 times, with Liverpool winning 14 of those encounters while Barnsley have claimed victory five times, with their remaining five contests ending in draws.
The two teams last met in an FA Cup clash back in February 2008, which Barnsley won 2-1.
Liverpool have progressed past this stage of the domestic cup in each of the last six seasons.
Liverpool are eight-time FA Cup winners, last lifting the domestic crown in the 2021-22 campaign after beating Chelsea on penalties.
Barnsley, meanwhile, won their sole FA Cup title in 1912, defeating West Bromwich Albion in the final.
Liverpool vs Barnsley Prediction
The Reds have collected five wins and five draws from their last 10 games across all competitions. They are by far the stronger side ahead of Monday’s cup tie and should receive an additional boost from their home advantage.
The Tykes, who are massive underdogs heading into the midweek clash, are further hindered by their poor form, having won just two of their last nine games across all competitions, and will mainly seek to avoid a heavy defeat on Monday.
Prediction: Liverpool 4-1 Barnsley
Liverpool vs Barnsley Betting Tips
Tip 1 - Result: Liverpool to win
Tip 2 - Goals - Over/under 2.5 - Over 2.5 goals (Four of the visitors' last six matches have produced more than 2.5 goals)
Tip 3 - Both teams to score: YES