Liverpool needed moments of individual brilliance to progress past League One Barnsley in the FA Cup, a scoreline that flattered the Reds.
Liverpool 4-1 Barnsley
FA Cup Third Round | Anfield
January 12, 2026
Goals
Szoboszlai 9′ (assist: Mac Allister)
Frimpong 36′ (assist: Mac Allister)
Phillips 40′
Wirtz 84′ (assist: Ekitike)
Ekitike 90+4′ (assist: Wirtz)
Six changes but a strong team
There were six changes from the side that started against Arsenal last week, one of those enforced due to Conor Bradley‘s injury.
But despite the changes, the team was probably stronger than you’d have expected, with only Rio Ngumoha‘s inclusion being an opportunity for a youngster.
LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND - Monday, January 12, 2026: Liverpool's Federico Chiesa in the line-up before the FA Cup 3rd Round match between Liverpool FC and Barnsley FC at Anfield. (Photo by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)
Hugo Ekitike made a welcome return from injury to make the bench.
Szoboszlai stuns at both ends
The League One side almost took the lead inside 30 seconds when former Liverpool academy player Adam Phillips put in a cross that Davis Keilor-Dunn headed against the post.
The Reds took the lead thanks to a sensational strike from Dominik Szoboszlai in the ninth minute.
LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND - Monday, January 12, 2026: Liverpool's Dominik Szoboszlai scores the first goal during the FA Cup 3rd Round match between Liverpool FC and Barnsley FC at Anfield. (Photo by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)
The Hungarian has comfortably been Liverpool’s best player this season and he fired his sixth goal of the season from 25 yards into the top corner.
The second goal wasn’t bad either, Jeremie Frimpong cutting in from the right side and firing past the ‘keeper at the near post on his left foot.
A calamitous error from Szoboszlai then gifted Phillips in front of the Kop. It was ridiculous from Szoboszlai, being overly cocky and complacent inside his own six yard box.
Liverpool led at the break courtesy of two superb goals but Barnsley arguably had more opportunities.
Half time: Liverpool 2-1 Barnsley
Wirtz goal seals win after complacent moments
There were no changes at half time but a trio of planned subs on the hour saw Konate replace Gomez, Ekitike on for Chiesa and Wirtz for Frimpong.
That meant Szoboszlai moved to right back, again, and his Jekyll and Hyde performance continued with a challenge that perhaps should have seen the visitors awarded a penalty.
At the other end, the Barnsley ‘keeper made a superb save to deny a Van Dijk volley.
But Barnsley continued to cause problems and Szoboszlai was forced to head off the line from a shot off a corner.
LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND - Monday, January 12, 2026: Liverpool's Federico Chiesa (R) is substituted off during the FA Cup 3rd Round match between Liverpool FC and Barnsley FC at Anfield. (Photo by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)
Ryan Gravenberch replaced Ngumoha after the teenager picked up a muscle injury. The four changes meant Liverpool’s XI resembled even more their strongest lineup yet the lower league side weren’t awed.
Szoboszlai provided a superb cross for Wirtz but a rather casual finish put it over the bar instead of on target.
Wirtz did get on the scoresheet, though, with a nice finish after combining with Ekitike on the edge of the box.
LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND - Monday, January 12, 2026: Liverpool's (L-R) Florian Wirtz celebrates with team-mate Hugo Ekitike, who gave the assist, after scoring his side's third goal during the FA Cup 3rd Round match between Liverpool FC and Barnsley FC at Anfield. (Photo by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)
Wirtz then returned the favour for Ekitike to tap in in stoppage time.
The scoreline was harsh on the League One side and flattered Liverpool, but victory sets up a fourth round tie at home to Brighton in mid-February.
Up next is the visit of Burnley to Anfield in the Premier League on Saturday.
TIA Man of the Match: Curtis Jones
Liverpool: Mamardashvili; Frimpong (Wirtz 59′), Gomez (Konate 59′), Van Dijk, Robertson; Mac Allister (Nyoni 88′), Jones, Szoboszlai; Chiesa (Ekitike 59′), Ngumoha (Gravenberch 73′), Gakpo
Subs not used: Alisson, Kerkez, Ramsay, Endo
Barnsley: Cooper; Watson, De Gevigney, Shepherd, Ogbeta; Bland, Phillips, Yoganathan; O’Keeffe, Cleary, Keillor-Dunn
Subs: Flavell, Roberts, McGoldrick, Jalo, O’Connell, Gent, Kelly, Barratt, Farrell
Next match: Burnley (H) – Premier League – Saturday, January 17, 3pm
Referee: Farai Hallam