Liverpool’s 455th game in the FA Cup sees them host Barnsley at Anfield, and history is on the Reds’ side when it comes to progressing to the fourth round.
Did you know, in the last 14 seasons, the Reds have lost only once at this first hurdle, going down to Wolves at Molineux in 2019.
They have not lost in the last nine FA Cup ties at Anfield (eight wins and a draw) since a 3-2 fourth round defeat to West Brom in January 2018.
And if you need a little more confidence, Liverpool have won all 11 FA Cup ties played on this date, the last in 1988 at Stoke with Peter Beardsley scoring the only goal.
Let’s hope January 12 is kind to us again!
Liverpool cannot set a new low
LONDON, ENGLAND - Sunday, January 4, 2026: Liverpool's head coach Arne Slot before the FA Premier League match between Fulham FC and Liverpool FC at Craven Cottage. (Photo by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)
A loss for Liverpool tonight would only be the second time they have lost at Anfield in the league, FA Cup, League Cup and European competition in the same season, after 2006/07.
Wolves, meanwhile, were the last lower-division team to knock Liverpool out at Anfield doing so in 2017.
As for the last team from outside the top two divisions to defeat the Reds in the FA Cup, that title belongs to Oldham, who won 3-2 at Boundary Park in 2013 – that was a lowly day.
When was the last time Liverpool faced Barnsley?
LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND - Saturday, February 16, 2008: Barnsley's Anderson De Silva, Martin Devaney and captain Brian Howard celebrate after beating Liverpool 2-1 during the FA Cup 5th Round match at Anfield. (Photo by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)
In the last meeting in the competition in February 2008, Barnsley won 2-1 at Anfield, after Dirk Kuyt had given the Reds a first half lead.
The first-ever meeting of the clubs came in this competition in 1895, with Liverpool ‘winning’ 2-1 after the game went into extra-time.
However, a Barnsley protest was upheld stating the game should not have gone to extra-time unless both teams agreed. The tie went to an Anfield replay with Liverpool winning 4-0.
This is the first time since 2017 that the Reds have met a lower-league side at this stage in a second successive season, having hosted Accrington Stanley last season. In 2016, it was Exeter and Plymouth the following year.
Barnsley’s struggles away from home
Barnsley's Davis Keillor-Dunn during the Carabao Cup third round match at Oakwell Stadium, Barnsley. Picture date: Tuesday September 23, 2025.
Barnsley last beat a Premier League team in the FA Cup in 2008 when overcoming Chelsea 1-0 at Oakwell in the quarter-finals, having won at Anfield in the round prior to that.
In this season’s competition, they defeated York City 3-2 in the first round, with two goals from Davis
Keillor-Dunn and a 91st minute winner from Marc Roberts.
The second round saw them overcome Peterborough United 1-0 away from home with substitute Patrick Kelly netting the game’s only goal.
They won their opening two away matches this season at Plymouth and Peterborough in the league, but since then, in all competitions, they have won two of the last 12 on the road.
Goalscorers so far this season
LONDON, ENGLAND - Sunday, January 4, 2026: Liverpool's Cody Gakpo takes his shirt off as he celebrates with team-mate captain Virgil van Dijk after scoring his side's second goal during the FA Premier League match between Fulham FC and Liverpool FC at Craven Cottage. (Photo by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)
Liverpool: Ekitike 11, Gakpo 6, Salah 5, Szoboszlai 5, Gravenberch 4, Isak 3, Chiesa 2, Van Dijk 2, Wirtz 2, Frimpong 1, Kerkez 1, Konate 1, Mac Allister 1, Ngumoha 1, Robertson 1, own goals 1
Barnsley: Keillor-Dunn 14, Cleary 5, McGoldrick 5, Phillips 4, Russell 4, Kelly 3, Connell 2, Vickers 2, Yoganathan 2, Earl 1, Farrugia 1, Roberts 1, Watson 1, own goals 2
* Stats courtesy of LFC statistician Ged Rea (@ged0407).