Liverpool made hard work of their 4-1 win over Barnsley, with no shortage of multiple role changes within the match, but it was two midfielders who ranked highest.
Liverpool 4-1 Barnsley
FA Cup Third Round | Anfield
January 12, 2026
Goals: Szoboszlai 9′, Frimpong 36′, Wirtz 84′, Ekitike 90+4′; Phillips 40′
Giorgi Mamardashvili – 6 (out of 10)
Made a strong save and steered the ball away from danger in one of his few true tests, but could do absolutely nothing with Dominik Szoboszlai‘s clanger at the end of the first.
Noticeably a bit better with his disposal efficiency.
LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND - Monday, January 12, 2026: Liverpool's goalkeeper Giorgi Mamardashvili during the FA Cup 3rd Round match between Liverpool FC and Barnsley FC at Anfield. (Photo by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)
Jeremie Frimpong – 7
The flip-flop of positions continued for Frimpong in the aftermath of Conor Bradley‘s injury, with a return to right-back after recent berths in attack.
A little inaccurate with some of his deliveries, but his thunderous left-foot strike was anything but after he cut inside for the Reds’ second goal. Protected with a substitution.
Joe Gomez – 5
Quite the shaky opening in his first start since mid-December, with loose defending allowing a header to hit the upright inside the first minute before being dispossessed on the halfway line.
Picked up an early yellow card and was one of the guilty parties who offered Barnsley encouragement that they could get behind Liverpool’s defence.
LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND - Monday, January 12, 2026: Liverpool's captain Virgil van Dijk reacts during the FA Cup 3rd Round match between Liverpool FC and Barnsley FC at Anfield. (Photo by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)
Virgil van Dijk – 7
Was busier than he would have anticipated against the League One outfit, but tidied up nicely after Gomez’s dispossession and won the most aerial duels (3/4) of any player in the first half.
Did allow Davis Keillor-Dunn to get a shot away, albeit from distance, but then had a chance of his own with a strike into the ground that required a quick reaction from the Barnsley ‘keeper.
Was expected to be withdrawn at half-time after 15 successive 90-minute performances for Liverpool dating back to October, but he saw out yet another match.
Andy Robertson – 6
Not the tidiest of starts from the Scot, who struggled to find his crossing range, but you could file that under the expected category after two games as an unused substitute.
Few things came off for him in the attacking half, adding to the frustration for how difficult Liverpool were making it for themselves.
LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND - Monday, January 12, 2026: Liverpool's Florian Wirtz celebrates with team-mate Curtis Jones 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)
Curtis Jones – 8
A player who gets underserved criticism, but no player created more chances (4) and he was clean in possession, successfully completing 62 of his 65 passes (95%).
And only two Liverpool forwards completed more dribbles than Jones (2/2), and he won six of his seven ground duels. A performance you can have few complaints with!
Alexis Mac Allister – 7
Two of the easiest assists he will have in his career, and you can bet he will jokingly take responsibility for both stunners in the dressing room later!
Kept himself busy and became the fulcrum in midfield after Szoboszlai dropped into defence, feeding balls into the final third.
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)
Dominik Szoboszlai – 8 (Man of the Match)
A reliable source of goals this season and he did not disappoint here, impeccably striking the ball in anger from distance for his sixth of the season – he’s now only two off his season-best (8).
You have to wonder if he is even capable of being fatigued, such are his continuous recovery runs, but you do have to question his overconfidence-cum-cockiness when a missed back-heel allowed a tap-in for Adam Phillips.
Enough credit in the bank, but really, Dom? (He’s still this writer’s Man of the Match regardless).
Moved to right-back at the hour-mark and had the eventful experience, with penalty shouts against him, a clearance close to the goalline and what should have been an assist for Florian Wirtz.
Federico Chiesa – 6
We have seen more of the Italian of late than in recent memory, with this his second start in the last five, and he was his usual energetic self going both ways – that’s never in doubt.
He combined effectively with Frimpong on the right, but in terms of influence and impact, it was minimal after winning none of the five duels he contested, and having both shots he attempted blocked.
Hooked at 60 minutes as Slot turned to his regular forwards. Unlikely to have convinced the Dutchman to use him more.
LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND - Monday, January 12, 2026: Liverpool's Rio Ngumoha lies injured during the FA Cup 3rd Round match between Liverpool FC and Barnsley FC at Anfield. (Photo by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)
Rio Ngumoha – 7
His first start since the end of October and only his third appearance across the last 16 games, and, as ever, there was no shortage of confidence, continually trying to take his man on.
The clamour for a start has been ever-present and it was noticeable inside Anfield that his next move was eagerly awaited as he was not to be bullied by more senior bodies.
Sadly, was forced off with an issue after stretching to keep the ball in play – hopefully nothing serious!
Cody Gakpo – 5
Looked rather lost leading the line with only 18 touches in a first half dominated by Liverpool (78% possession). A performance perhaps summed up when at one point he was driving the ball forward with his right boot in hand.
Moved back to a more familiar role on the left, temporarily, injecting impetus into his game, but then his third role of the night came on the right after Ngumoha’s withdrawal.
Overall Team Performance – 6
Substitutes
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)
Ibrahima Konate (on for Gomez, 60′) – 6 – Jumped out of the defensive line a little too eagerly, following in Gomez’s footsteps but was tidy in possession.
Florian Wirtz (on for Frimpong, 60′) – 7 – Tried to make things happen and should have scored earlier if not for a laid-back approach, but he made up for it later with a well-placed finish and then a late assist.
Hugo Ekitike (on for Chiesa, 60′) – 7 – Took a while to get going, but the flick for Wirtz’s goal was delightful, and had the favour returned late on.
Ryan Gravenberch (on for Ngumoha, 73′) – 6 – Racked up touches quickly.
Trey Nyoni (on for Mac Allister, 88′) – N/A – Good to see the youngster out there, a little late for our liking!
Subs not used: Alisson, Kerkez, Ramsay, Endo
Arne Slot – 6
LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND - Monday, January 12, 2026: Liverpool's head coach Arne Slot before the FA Cup 3rd Round match between Liverpool FC and Barnsley FC at Anfield. (Photo by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)
Arne Slot guaranteed a strong squad and he delivered, even with six changes, as his first-team regulars were all accounted for.
There are 57 league positions between Liverpool and Barnsley and you would have expected it to have been shown more prominently, but the offer of space encouraged the League One outfit.
Liverpool should have been comfortably out of sight, but that they made it hard work is indicative of where the side currently find themselves – and that’s without clear direction.
It was an opportunity to use more than just Ngumoha as a youth representative, while keeping the XI strong, but that was passed up despite the level of competition.
There is a place in the fourth round, against Brighton, but it was the convincing win many had expected and after Xabi Alonso’s sacking, there can be no hiding for Slot.