Liverpool 4-1 Barnsley: Three Talking Points

Liverpool FC advanced comfortably to the FA Cup fourth round with a 4-1 victory over third-tier Barnsley at Anfield on Monday, though not without a brief scare. Dominik Szoboszlai's stunning opener and a Jeremie Frimpong strike gave the Reds a 2-0 lead by the 36th minute, but Szoboszlai's comical error allowed Adam Phillips to pull one back for Barnsley just four minutes later, making it 2-1 at halftime[2][3][4].

1. Szoboszlai: Hero and Villain in One Performance

Dominik Szoboszlai epitomized Liverpool's dominance and vulnerability. The midfielder opened the scoring in the 9th minute with a powerful 25-yard strike that left Barnsley's keeper rooted to the spot, showcasing his long-range threat[2][3][4]. However, his nearly comical error in the 40th minute gifted Phillips a goal, briefly injecting tension into the tie. Despite the blunder, Szoboszlai's overall influence underlined his importance under Arne Slot[4].

2. Mac Allister's Assists and Impactful Substitutes Seal the Deal

Alexis Mac Allister was pivotal early, providing two assists: the final pass for Szoboszlai's opener and another for Frimpong's impressive left-footed finish[2]. Liverpool laboured in the second half until substitutes Florian Wirtz and Hugo Ekitike combined brilliantly. Wirtz scored in the 84th minute before assisting Ekitike's close-range tap-in in the 90+4th, turning a nervy affair into a stylish win and setting up a fourth-round clash with Brighton[2][3].

3. Reds Avoid Banana Skin Amid Rotation

With eyes on the Premier League and Champions League, Slot rotated but fielded a strong side featuring Mamardashvili, Van Dijk, Robertson, Chiesa, and Gakpo, avoiding last year's Plymouth upset[1][3]. Barnsley, inspired by Macclesfield's shock win over Crystal Palace, threatened but couldn't overcome Liverpool's quality. The result highlights the FA Cup's magic while affirming Liverpool's depth[1][5].

Liverpool's progression was convincing overall, blending brilliance with a timely reminder of cup unpredictability. (Word count: 298)