Liverpool vs Barnsley: FA Cup Third Round Live

Anfield, January 12, 2026 – Liverpool hosted League One side Barnsley in the FA Cup third round, entering as heavy favorites under manager Arne Slot. The match kicked off at 7:45 PM UTC, broadcast on ESPN+, with live updates capturing early drama.[5][1]

Dominik Szoboszlai gave Liverpool a 1-0 lead in the 9th minute with a stunning 25-yard strike, silencing any doubts about the task facing Barnsley. The powerful shot underscored Liverpool's dominance from the outset.[1]

However, a massive Szoboszlai mistake later reignited Barnsley's hopes, bringing them back into the contest and injecting tension into the live coverage. This error highlighted the "magic of the cup," especially after shocks like Macclesfield's 2-1 upset over Crystal Palace.[2][1]

Liverpool fielded a strong side including Giorgi Mamardashvili in goal, Virgil van Dijk at the back, Alexis Mac Allister and Szoboszlai in midfield, and Cody Gakpo up top, despite rotation concerns following last season's Plymouth loss.[4][2] Conor Bradley was absent, ruled out for the season with a serious knee injury requiring surgery.[2]

Barnsley, managed by Conor Hourihane (former Aston Villa midfielder and League One Manager of the Month), arrived in a slump with just one win in six league games. No matches since January 1 due to postponement added rust.[1]

Pre-match predictions favored a Liverpool 4-0 win, but Barnsley's resilience and Szoboszlai's blunder kept the tie alive. Historical context includes a 1-2 Barnsley victory at Anfield in 2008.[3] As the live blog unfolded, fans watched for further twists in this classic cup clash.[5]

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