Liverpool got off to a quick start against Barnsley, but one player who is going to be vital over the next few weeks and months looked rusty from the first whistle.
An eye-watering strike from Dominik Szoboszlai gave Liverpool the lead within ten minutes of their FA Cup opener, but it was the League One side who looked like scoring first.
A headed effort within the first minute almost spoiled Giorgi Mamardashvili’s first start since November, but he was helped out by the woodwork.
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Barnsley would get a couple more chances in the opening minutes, and Ally McCoist was quick to criticise the player he thought was to blame for the shaky start.
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Liverpool starting XI vs Barsley
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Ally McCoist calls out ‘slack’ Joe Gomez after strong Barnsley start
With Conor Bradley’s season ended by injury, there has been quite a bit of speculation over what the right-back position will look like.
One player who might be called upon is Joe Gomez, but he needs to get back up to speed.
He was picked to start alongside Virgil van Dijk at the heart of the defence, and he looked a step slow.
Liverpool v Barnsley - Emirates FA Cup Third Round
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On commentary for TNT Sports, McCoist said: “Slack from Joe Gomez, really slack from Joe Gomez. He gives up possession of the ball.
“Cleary was through, Van Dijk comes across and does well but not the best of starts from Joe Gomez at the moment.”
Defensive options are quite limited with Bradley ruled out, so Gomez is in line for a big impact in either centre-back or on the right for the rest of the season. Liverpool are looking at right-backs, but the Englishman will still find more minutes if he can sharpen up.
Fill in the blank: Liverpool’s best player of the season other than Dominik Szoboszlai has been ___________
Dominik Szoboszlai injury quote
Someone else might need to step up!
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Szoboszlai’s insane first half
The deadlock was broken in some style courtesy of a 25-yard screamer from Szoboszlai.
McCoist was blown away by the technique, comparing it to a golf swing with how easy it looks for him.
Steven Gerrard and Szoboslai are often compared, and it’s easy to see why with moments of brilliance like that.
Unfortunately, he undid the brilliance with a terrible bit of decision-making before the end of the half. Szoboszlai was the best player on the pitch for 40 minutes before a botched backheel turned in by the Barnsley striker from point-blank range.
An insane half from the Hungarian.
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