Liverpool Ease Past Barnsley Despite Szoboszlai Gaffe

By RTE Sport | January 12, 2026

Liverpool secured a 4-1 victory over Sky Bet League One side Barnsley in the FA Cup third round at Anfield, advancing despite a costly error from Dominik Szoboszlai.The Reds survived a moment of madness to avoid an upset against the 17th-placed visitors.[3]

The match began brightly for Liverpool, with Szoboszlai opening the scoring in spectacular fashion in the 9th minute. The Hungarian midfielder drilled a 35-yard dipping shot into the net, echoing his earlier form but setting a dominant tone.Five minutes before half-time, Jeremie Frimpong added a second with another stunning strike, putting Liverpool 2-0 up.[2][3]

Disaster struck shortly after, however, as Szoboszlai attempted a reckless backheel inside his own six-yard box. The arrogant flick presented former Liverpool trainee Adam Phillips with a tap-in opportunity right in front of the Kop, which he converted in the 40th minute to make it 2-1. Barnsley's momentum shifted, nearly equalizing earlier when Davis Keillor-Dunn headed against the post within 30 seconds of kick-off.[3]

The visitors pressed in the second half, with goalkeeper Cooper brilliantly tipping Virgil van Dijk's volley onto the crossbar. Liverpool fans grew anxious as some headed for the exits to the ironic tune of an acoustic 'Manic Monday'. Relief came in the 84th minute when substitute Florian Wirtz curled home the third, followed by Hugo Ekitike's close-range finish in the 90+4th minute to seal the win.[2][3]

Despite injuries to players like Alexander Isak and Conor Bradley, Arne Slot's side progressed to face Brighton in the fourth round. The game highlighted Liverpool's control punctuated by underestimation of their lower-league opponents.[1][3]

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