Hugo Ekitike & Florian Wirtz Did Something No Liverpool Subs Ever Have Before

In a thrilling 4-1 FA Cup third-round victory over League One side Barnsley at Anfield, Liverpool substitutes Hugo Ekitike and Florian Wirtz etched their names into club history by achieving a feat no previous Liverpool substitutes had accomplished.[1][2][4]

The match began with high drama. Barnsley's Adam Phillips, a former Liverpool academy player, set up Davis Keillor-Dunn for a headed effort that struck the post within the opening minute, signaling a potential upset against the two-league superior Reds.[4] Liverpool responded swiftly, with Dominik Szoboszlai blasting in a 30-yard piledriver to open the scoring, followed by a well-struck shot from Jeremie Frimpong to make it 2-0.[4][5]

However, on the stroke of half-time, Szoboszlai's uncharacteristic backheel attempt in his own penalty area gifted Phillips an easy tap-in, pulling one back for Barnsley and injecting tension into the tie. Barnsley captain Conor Hourihane later accused Szoboszlai of 'disrespect,' a claim Arne Slot dismissed as bemusing.[5] In the second half, Barnsley frustrated Liverpool, with Reyes Cleary's penalty shout waved away, keeping the game precariously close.[4]

Slot turned to his bench, introducing Ekitike and Wirtz, who delivered decisively. The duo scored the final two goals, sealing Liverpool's progression to the FA Cup fourth round against Brighton and setting a niche substitute record—the first pair of Liverpool subs to achieve such a milestone in a single match.[1][2][4][5] Despite Barnsley's resilience, pushing until the final whistle, Ekitike and Wirtz's clinical finishes killed off the threat.[5]

Szoboszlai's overall performance remained strong—105 passes, defensive contributions, and chance creation—but the error served as a lesson.[5] This win highlighted Liverpool's depth, with the young stars' historic impact from the bench sparking excitement about their growing partnership.[2] (298 words)