Liverpool survived a couple of huge scares from Barnsley as stunning goals from Dominik Szoboszlai, Jeremie Frimpong and Florian Wirtz helped the Reds to a 4-1 win as they progressed to the FA Cup fourth round.
The League One side can be immensely proud of their display at Anfield. They might also feel hard done by a penalty claim which was controversially waved away in the second half, which would have levelled the tie.
Barnsley were right at it from the off and struck the post inside 28 seconds in front of the Kop through Davis Keillor-Dunn's header.
But Liverpool settled the crowd as Szoboszlai struck a stunner from 25 yards out inside 10 minutes.
Did you know?
Dominik Szoboszlai has become just the third Liverpool player to score from outside the box in the Premier League, Champions League, FA Cup and League Cup, after Steven Gerrard and John Arne Riise.
That opener did not deter Barnsley's spirit though as both Jonathan Bland and Keillor-Dunn tested Giorgi Mamardashvili in good areas, before Liverpool's Premier League quality shone through once again.
This time it was Frimpong, starting at right-back with injured Conor Bradley out for the season, who cut inside on his left foot and finished high into the net. But then Barnsley got the goal their first half deserved with a stunning gift.
Former Liverpool academy player Adam Phillips chased a long ball but Szoboszlai tracked back well. Then, just three yards out, the Liverpool midfielder bizarrely tried a flick to his goalkeeper and missed, allowing Phillips to score in front of the Kop.
Adam Phillips pulled one back for Barnsley after Szoboszlai's error
Image: Adam Phillips pulled one back for Barnsley after Szoboszlai's error
Barnsley continued to battle in the second period, despite Liverpool going close as Virgil van Dijk saw his shot tipped onto the bar by Murphy Cooper. Slot even brought on £220m of talent in Wirtz, the returning Hugo Ekitike after injury and Ibrahima Konate on for cover, but the League One side kept on threatening.
At the hour mark, their big moment came. Reyes Cleary, who gave the Liverpool attack a torrid time down the Barnsley left, burst into the box and went down under Szoboszlai's challenge.
Referee Farai Hallam waved away the claims, with no VAR until the fifth round of the competition, and replays showed the Hungarian got a slight touch on the ball, despite a hand on the back.
Barnsley were denied a huge penalty claim at Anfield
Image: Barnsley were denied a huge penalty claim at Anfield
But Liverpool sealed it in the final ten minutes as Wirtz - who earlier missed a sitter - curled home after Ekitike's deft flick - before the pair combined for the French forward to score the fourth.The Reds charge on to face Brighton in round four.
More to follow.
FA Cup fourth-round draw in full:
Liverpool vs Brighton
Stoke City vs Fulham
Oxford United vs Sunderland
Southampton vs Leicester City
Wrexham vs Ipswich Town
Arsenal vs Wigan Athletic
Hull City vs Chelsea
Burton Albion vs West Ham
Burnley vs Mansfield Town
Norwich City vs West Brom
Port Vale vs Bristol City
Grimsby Town vs Wolves
Aston Villa vs Newcastle
Manchester City vs Salford City or Swindon
Macclesfield vs Brentford
Birmingham City vs Leeds United
Key dates for the FA Cup 2025/26
Fourth round: Saturday February 14 2026
Fifth round: Saturday March 7 2026
Quarter-finals: Saturday April 4 2026
Semi-finals: Saturday April 25 2026
Final: Saturday May 16 2026