Liverpool 4-1 Barnsley: FA Cup third round – as it happened

Liverpool advanced to the Emirates FA Cup fourth round with a 4-1 victory over third-tier Barnsley at a chilly Anfield on January 12, 2026, setting up a home tie against Brighton & Hove Albion. Dominik Szoboszlai's stunning long-range strike and a costly error defined the match, as manager Arne Slot's side overcame a spirited comeback from Conor Hourihane's underdogs.[1][2][3]

The game started explosively. Barnsley nearly shocked the hosts inside 30 seconds when Davis Keillor-Dunn headed against the post. Liverpool responded in the 9th minute: Szoboszlai rifled a 35-yard screamer past Murphy Cooper into the top corner, silencing the visitors.[1][2][4] On his FA Cup debut, right-back Jeremie Frimpong doubled the lead in the 36th with a thunderous left-footed shot into the roof of the net after cutting inside.[1][2][3]

Disaster struck for Liverpool just before half-time. Szoboszlai, showing reckless arrogance, attempted a backheel inside his own six-yard box, gifting former Reds youth product Adam Phillips an easy tap-in to make it 2-1. The ex-Liverpool trainee, a boyhood fan, scored in front of the Kop.[1][4][5]

Barnsley started the second half brightly, fuming over a denied penalty on Reyes Cleary after a challenge by Szoboszlai—no VAR until the fifth round. Cooper brilliantly saved a Virgil van Dijk volley onto the bar around the hour mark. Liverpool substitute Florian Wirtz missed a golden chance from Szoboszlai's cross but redeemed himself in the 84th minute, curling a beauty into the top corner to restore the two-goal cushion.[1][2][3][4]

Hugo Ekitiké sealed the win in the 4th minute of stoppage time, sliding home Wirtz's assist from close range. Slot made six changes from the midweek draw at Arsenal leaders, fielding a strong lineup after last year's shock Plymouth loss. Barnsley, 17th in League One, fought valiantly but couldn't upset the eight-time winners.[1][2][4]

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