Liverpool player ratings, winners and losers vs Barnsley as Jeremie Frimpong and 3 more stand out
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Liverpool Player Ratings vs Barnsley: Frimpong Shines as Reds Advance 4-1 in FA Cup
Liverpool FC secured a convincing 4-1 victory over League One side Barnsley in the FA Cup third round at Anfield on January 12, 2026, advancing to the fourth round. Despite an early lead, the Reds weathered a Barnsley equalizer before pulling away with clinical finishing from key performers like Jeremie Frimpong and Alexis Mac Allister.[2][3][5]
Match Summary
Dominik Szoboszlai opened the scoring with a stunning 25-yard strike in the 9th minute, but his error later allowed Barnsley's goal, exposing defensive lapses. Super subs and midfield dominance turned the tide, with Mac Allister providing two assists in a man-of-the-match display. Frimpong added a goal and dynamic runs down the right flank. Arne Slot's strong starting XI (4-2-3-1) featured Giorgi Mamardashvili in goal, backed by Joseph Gomez, Virgil van Dijk, and Andrew Robertson. Attackers included Federico Chiesa, Curtis Jones, Rio Ngumoha, and Cody Gakpo.[1][2][3][5]
Player Ratings (Out of 10)
| Player | Rating | Key Moments |
|---|---|---|
| Giorgi Mamardashvili | 7/10 | Big first-half saves; helpless on Barnsley's goal. |
| Jeremie Frimpong | 8/10 | Solid wing runs, capped with a goal—stood out prominently. |
| Joseph Gomez | 5/10 | Quiet; picked up yellow card. |
| Virgil van Dijk | 7/10 | Strong defending; nearly scored. |
| Alexis Mac Allister (MOTM) | 9/10 | Huge impact: two assists dominated midfield. |
| Dominik Szoboszlai | 5/10 | Scored spectacularly but gifted Barnsley's goal with arrogance. |
| Federico Chiesa, Curtis Jones, Cody Gakpo, Rio Ngumoha, Andrew Robertson | 6-7/10 | Solid but unspectacular; no major errors. |
Manager Rating
Arne Slot: 8/10—Bold lineup and impactful subs like Wirtz and Ekitike sealed the win against Championship/Challenger Barnsley (5-4-1 setup).[2]
Winners: Frimpong, Mac Allister. Losers: Szoboszlai's errors. Liverpool progresses comfortably.[1][2]