Liverpool 4-1 Barnsley: FA Cup Third Round – Live Reaction

Liverpool secured a convincing 4-1 victory over Barnsley in the FA Cup third round at Anfield on Monday, January 12, 2026, advancing to the next stage with a display of clinical finishing and flair.[1][6]

The match, kicking off at 19:45 GMT and broadcast live on TNT Sports, saw Arne Slot's Reds dominate possession and chances against League One side Barnsley, managed by Conor Hourihane.[2] Liverpool's lineup featured stars like Cody Gakpo, Federico Chiesa, Dominik Szoboszlai, and young talent Rio Ngumoha, with Jeremie Frimpong at right-back and Giorgi Mamardashvili in goal.[4]

Early action was frantic: Szoboszlai had a shot blocked in the 4th minute, while Gakpo won a free kick after a foul by Barnsley's Maël de Gevigney.[4] Liverpool broke the deadlock with superb goals, as highlighted in match reports, overpowering Barnsley's defense featuring players like D Kellior-Dunn and P Kelly.[1][3] Barnsley pulled one back to make it 4-1, but couldn't mount a serious comeback.[1]

Key performers included Szoboszlai, whose outside-of-the-box efforts set the tone, and Gakpo, central to the attack alongside Chiesa.[1][4] Substitutes like Ibrahima Konaté, Ryan Gravenberch, and Alisson were available, with academy prospects Trey Nyoni and Calvin Ramsay on the bench.[4] Stats showed Liverpool's superiority in shots, possession, and passing, though full details like attendance and exact scorers were still emerging post-match.[2]

Refereed by Farai Hallam, with assistants Alistair Nelson and Hristo Karaivanov, the game had no VAR.[2] This win caps a night of FA Cup magic, amid upsets elsewhere like Macclesfield's giant-killing and Manchester United's exit.[3][6] Liverpool now await the fourth-round draw, with fans buzzing over the Reds' progress under Slot.[1][6]

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