Late Goals Add Shine as Liverpool Beat Spirited Barnsley in FA Cup

Liverpool advanced to the Emirates FA Cup fourth round with a 4-1 victory over League One side Barnsley at Anfield on January 12, 2026, setting up a home tie against Brighton & Hove Albion in February. Despite a spirited performance from the visitors, Dominik Szoboszlai's stunning opener and late strikes sealed the win for Arne Slot's Premier League champions.[1][2][3]

The match began brightly for Liverpool, with Szoboszlai rifling a thunderous 30-yard strike past Barnsley's Murphy Cooper after just nine minutes, silencing the traveling fans. Jeremie Frimpong doubled the lead in the 36th minute, cutting inside from the right flank and smashing a fierce left-footed shot into the roof of the net.[1][3][4]

Barnsley fought back resiliently. Five minutes before halftime, Szoboszlai turned from hero to villain with a calamitous error: after chasing back to win possession, he attempted a reckless backheel in his own six-yard box, gifting former Liverpool trainee Adam Phillips an easy tap-in to make it 2-1. The blunder shifted momentum, with Barnsley—17th in League One—pressing hard and nearly equalizing early in the second half.[2][3][6]

The visitors started the second half strongly, forcing saves from Giorgi Mamardashvili, including a brilliant tip-over from Virgil van Dijk's volley. Barnsley's bench appealed for a penalty after Szoboszlai's challenge on Reyes Cleary, but replays showed it was fair. Liverpool substitute Rio Ngumoha's crosses teased danger, but clear chances were scarce.[1][2]

With the tie in the balance, Slot introduced star substitutes Florian Wirtz, Hugo Ekitiké, and Ibrahima Konaté after the hour mark. Wirtz restored the two-goal cushion in the 84th minute, curling home after linking with Ekitiké. Ekitiké then tapped in Wirtz's cross in stoppage time (90+4') for 4-1, wrapping up the victory amid departing fans.[3][4][6]

Barnsley's admirable display belied their 57-place league deficit, but Liverpool extended their unbeaten run to 11 games. The scoreline flattered the Reds, who grinded out progression against a team that made them work.[1][3]

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