THE performances of Barnsley trio Reyes Cleary, Vimal Yoganathan and Jono Bland represented a bit of a double-edged sword at Anfield on Monday night.
It showcased their considerable talents, for sure, but also served as an alert to many watching clubs regarding their proficiency and promise for such young players. It was obviously heightened by the fact that the winter transfer window is fully operational.
Another facet to consider is that it also surely did no harm whatsoever to Barnsley's hopes of recruiting further young players - especially from higher division clubs on loan - while underlining that they serve as a perfect destination for up-and-coming talent.
Already this week, the Reds have been linked with a full-time move for a teenager, in the shape of Middlesbrough winger Charlie Lennon, who has been on loan at non-league Darlington. A deal is said to be close.
Liverpool's Virgil van Dijk and Barnsley's Reyes Cleary (right) battle for the ball during the Emirates FA Cup third round match at Anfield, Liverpool. Picture date: Monday January 12, 2026.placeholder image
Liverpool's Virgil van Dijk and Barnsley's Reyes Cleary (right) battle for the ball during the Emirates FA Cup third round match at Anfield, Liverpool. Picture date: Monday January 12, 2026.
As for boosting the club's hopes of more young players on loan, head coach Hourihane said: "Look, I don't think we need to sell ourselves from that point of view.
"The proof's there that we give a platform to young players, that we play and develop them to give them that foundation to move forward with us hopefully.
"From that point of view, there's a clear plan and identity.
"I think that's got to help the best young players want to come to the club to help us from a development, results and an asset point of view as well."
Barnsley head coach Conor Hourihane after the Emirates FA Cup third round match at Anfield, Liverpool. Picture date: Monday January 12, 2026. PA Photo. Photo credit should read: Peter Byrne/PA Wire.placeholder image
Barnsley head coach Conor Hourihane after the Emirates FA Cup third round match at Anfield, Liverpool. Picture date: Monday January 12, 2026. PA Photo. Photo credit should read: Peter Byrne/PA Wire.
After their uplifting cup performance at Liverpool - complete with a fair amount of kudos - it's back to the grind for the Reds, whose league itinerary for the final three-and-a-half months of the campaign is brutal, with a plethora of midweek games on the menu.
In that regard, Hourihane is hoping that the rest of the winter weather is kind.
He continued: "When we were planning the season and look back to pre-season, we expected to have 24/25 (league) games played by now. I think Huddersfield have even had 26 games played and to be sitting on 21 games is pretty low.
"Circumstances change from the planning at the start of the season and we are where we are and we're heading into a period now where it's going to be testing mentally and physically.
“Hopefully, there'll be no more games called off, no severe injuries and suspensions after the Luca (Connell) situation as well and that we’ll have a healthy squad to hit that period head on.”