FA Cup 3rd Round: Liverpool Beat Barnsley 4-1 at Anfield.

FA Cup 3rd Round: Liverpool Beat Barnsley 4-1 at Anfield.

Liverpool 4-1 Barnsley, FA Cup Third Round 2026: Reds Survive Scare to Advance with Late Goals.

                    On a chilly Monday evening at Anfield on January 12, 2026, Liverpool overcame a spirited challenge from League One side Barnsley to secure a 4-1 victory in the FA Cup Third Round.

            Arne Slot's team progressed to the fourth round, where they will host Brighton, extending their unbeaten run to 11 games across all competitions. Goals from Dominik Szoboszlai, Jeremie Frimpong, Florian Wirtz, and Hugo Ekitiké sealed the win, but not without moments of tension courtesy of Adam Phillips' strike for the visitors.

The match encapsulated the magic of the FA Cup—giant-killing threats, individual brilliance, and late drama. Despite a 57-place gap in the English football pyramid, Barnsley pushed Premier League leaders Liverpool all the way, hitting the woodwork early and capitalizing on a rare Szoboszlai error. However, the Reds' quality shone through in the closing stages, with substitutes Wirtz and Ekitiké combining twice to calm Anfield nerves.

Match Summary and Scoreline

Final Score: Liverpool 4-1 Barnsley Goals:Liverpool: Dominik Szoboszlai (9'), Jeremie Frimpong (36'), Florian Wirtz (84'), Hugo Ekitiké (90+4')
Barnsley: Adam Phillips (40')

Assists: Alexis Mac Allister (2), Hugo Ekitiké (1), Florian Wirtz (1)

Half-Time: Liverpool 2-1 Barnsley Venue: Anfield, Liverpool (Attendance: Approx. 60,000, including 6,000 travelling Barnsley fans)

Liverpool dominated possession (around 68%) and shots (22 to Barnsley's 8), but the Tykes' resilience made it a nervy affair until the final whistle.



First Half: Brilliance and Blunder

Barnsley stunned Anfield in the opening minute when Davis Keillor-Dunn's header crashed against the crossbar, signaling their intent under manager Conor Hourihane. The early scare jolted Liverpool into life.

In the 9th minute, Dominik Szoboszlai calmed the home crowd with a superb strike. Receiving a pass from Alexis Mac Allister outside the box, the Hungarian international unleashed a powerful drive into the top corner, leaving Barnsley goalkeeper Murphy Cooper rooted. It was a moment of pure class from Szoboszlai, who has been in scintillating form this season.

Liverpool doubled their lead in the 36th minute through Jeremie Frimpong. The right-back, thriving under Slot's system, cut inside and curled a left-footed beauty past Cooper. Again, Mac Allister provided the assist with a precise through-ball. At 2-0, the tie seemed headed for a routine progression.

But football's unpredictability struck in the 40th minute. Szoboszlai, attempting a flashy backheel in his own box to goalkeeper Giorgi Mamardashvili, scuffed it horribly. Boyhood Liverpool fan Adam Phillips pounced, slotting home in front of the Kop to halve the deficit. The 6,000 Barnsley supporters erupted, evoking memories of their previous Anfield victories in 1997 and 2008.

Conor Hourihane 'disappointed' with Liverpool star as Barnsley ...

Halftime arrived with Liverpool leading 2-1, but the momentum had shifted. Szoboszlai's error—a rare lapse in an otherwise dominant display—gave Barnsley belief.

Second Half: Tension, Substitutions, and Late Relief

The second period was cagey. Barnsley pressed high, denying Liverpool rhythm. A major talking point came when Reyes Cleary went down under Szoboszlai's challenge in the box—Barnsley appealed for a penalty, but with no VAR in the third round, the referee waved play on. Hourihane fumed on the touchline, later criticizing the decision post-match.

Arne Slot responded on the hour mark, introducing Ibrahima Konaté for defensive solidity, plus attackers Florian Wirtz and the returning Hugo Ekitiké (back from injury). The changes injected fresh energy.

The breakthrough came in the 84th minute. Ekitiké's clever backheel found Florian Wirtz, who rifled an unstoppable shot into the top corner from the edge of the box. It was a goal of Premier League quality, restoring Liverpool's two-goal cushion and earning Wirtz the Player of the Match accolade from many outlets.

Deep into stoppage time (90+4'), the pair linked again. Wirtz threaded a pass, and Hugo Ekitiké slid in at the back post to tap home, sealing a flattering 4-1 scoreline. The Frenchman celebrated wildly in front of the Kop, marking a perfect return.

Hugo Ekitike’s Goal Celebrations At The Kop End! | Liverpool 4-1 Barnsley


Player Performances and Ratings

Player of the Match (BBC User Ratings): Adam Phillips (Barnsley) – 7.38 The midfielder's goal and tireless work rate earned him top honors, edging out Liverpool's stars.

Top Liverpool Performers:Florian Wirtz: 7.20 – Game-changer off the bench.
Hugo Ekitiké: 7.01 – Clinical finishing and creativity.
Jeremie Frimpong: 6.95 – Stunning goal and defensive contributions.


Dominik Szoboszlai: 6.59 – Opener was brilliant, but the error cost him.
Alexis Mac Allister: 6.50 – Two assists showcased his vision.

Youngster Rio Ngumoha earned a start and rated 6.31, while Federico Chiesa (6.23) showed flashes on his rare outing.

Barnsley's effort was epitomized by Phillips, whose goal against his boyhood club was bittersweet.

Tactical Analysis: Slot's Rotation and Barnsley's Brave Approach

Arne Slot honored his promise of no wholesale changes, fielding a strong XI with opportunities for Ngumoha and Chiesa. The lineup featured Mamardashvili in goal, a backline including Frimpong, Van Dijk, and Robertson, midfield of Gravenberch, Mac Allister, and Szoboszlai, with attackers like Jones and Gakpo.

Barnsley, managed by former Premier League midfielder Conor Hourihane, set up bravely in a 3-5-2, pressing high and targeting transitions. Their early bar-hit and Phillips' goal highlighted vulnerabilities in Liverpool's build-up.

Slot's substitutions were pivotal—Konaté stabilized defense, while Wirtz and Ekitiké added flair. The late goals masked a performance that was "far from convincing," as noted in reports. Liverpool's individual quality ultimately prevailed, but Barnsley's pressing caused discomfort.

Historically, Barnsley had upset Liverpool at Anfield twice before (1997 League Cup, 2008 FA Cup), adding spice. This win banished those ghosts, extending the Reds' unbeaten streak.
Post-Match Reactions and What Next

Arne Slot praised Barnsley's effort: "They made it difficult; credit to them. We showed character to win in the end." On Szoboszlai's error: "Mistakes happen; he scored a great goal earlier."

Conor Hourihane was proud yet frustrated: "We gave everything. The penalty shout was massive—no VAR hurt us." He called Szoboszlai's backheel a "lack of respect," sparking debate.

For Liverpool, the win sets up a fourth-round home tie against Brighton—a tricky prospect given the Seagulls' form. With the Premier League lead intact and unbeaten in 11, Slot's side remains contenders on multiple fronts.

Barnsley return to League One action, heads held high after a valiant display that reminded everyone of the FA Cup's enduring charm.

This third-round tie delivered drama, quality, and underdog spirit—vintage FA Cup fare at the historic Anfield.