Liverpool will look to return to winning ways and restore some momentum when they welcome League One side Barnsley to Anfield in the FA Cup third round on Monday night.
The Reds come into the tie on the back of three consecutive draws and will view this fixture as a timely opportunity to move one step closer to silverware.
With their hopes of retaining the Premier League title having faded in recent weeks Liverpool are increasingly likely to prioritise the domestic cups as realistic routes to success this season.
Arne Slot’s side remain unbeaten across their last ten matches in all competitions but the lack of cutting edge in recent games has left a sense of frustration.
Those three straight draws have stalled their rhythm and a convincing win would be welcome both for confidence and clarity.
Anfield has often provided the stage for Liverpool to reset and this tie offers little margin for excuses given the disparity in quality.
Barnsley arrive on Merseyside sitting 17th in League One and locked in a battle to stabilise a difficult campaign.
The Tykes have won just eight of their 21 league matches and have struggled badly for consistency.
Recent form has done little to lift optimism with no wins in their last four outings.
Their problems have been even more pronounced away from home where they have managed only two victories in their last 12 trips.
That record underlines the scale of the challenge facing them against elite opposition in one of English football’s most demanding venues.
Football Today: Blackburn Rovers fans get stuck in as Hibernian appoint Kean
Trending
Football Today: Blackburn Rovers fans get stuck in as Hibernian appoint Kean
Liverpool will be wary of complacency after suffering an embarrassing FA Cup exit last season but the expectation is that they will impose themselves early.
Slot is likely to rotate but still field a side strong enough to control the game and avoid unnecessary drama.
The hosts have spoken openly about the need to turn draws into wins and this match presents an ideal platform to do so.
Barnsley will aim to frustrate and stay compact for as long as possible knowing that an early concession could end the contest quickly.
Their best hope may lie in set pieces and moments of disruption rather than sustained pressure.
This is not just about reaching the next round for Liverpool, but about rediscovering authority at a critical stage of the season.
For Barnsley, it is a free hit but one that will demand discipline, resilience and a degree of fortune.