Liverpool vs Barnsley LIVE: FA Cup Third Round at Anfield

Liverpool hosted Barnsley in the FA Cup third round on Monday, January 12, 2026, at Anfield, entering as heavy favorites against the League One side.[1][3][4] Kickoff was at 19:45 UTC (2:45 PM ET), broadcast on ESPN+.[1][3]

Early Goal Seals Liverpool Lead

Dominik Szoboszlai opened the scoring in the 9th minute with a powerful strike from over 25 yards, giving Liverpool a 1-0 lead and underscoring the gulf in class.[1] The match remained live into the second half, with Liverpool dominating possession at around 78% early on.[3]

Team News and Lineups

Manager Arne Slot promised a strong squad, learning from last season's shock FA Cup loss to Plymouth after 10 changes.[4] Liverpool's lineup (4-2-3-1): Giorgi Mamardashvili; Jeremie Frimpong, Joseph Gomez, Virgil van Dijk, Andrew Robertson; Alexis Mac Allister, Dominik Szoboszlai; Federico Chiesa, Curtis Jones, Rio Ngumoha; Cody Gakpo.[3] Jeremie Frimpong featured prominently, aligning with the headline's mention of his goal potential.[3]

Barnsley, managed by former Aston Villa midfielder Conor Hourihane (League One Manager of the Month in November), sat in a slump with just one win in six league games. No match since January 1 due to postponement.[1] Key players included D. Kellior-Dunn (2 goals in recent matches) and P. Kelly.[2]

Context and Predictions

The Reds sought redemption after Plymouth's upset, prioritizing the cup amid Champions League and Premier League pursuits.[4] Barnsley aimed for a Macclesfield-style shock (2-1 over Crystal Palace).[1][2][4] Historical head-to-head: Barnsley won 2-1 at Anfield in 2008 FA Cup.[2]

Pre-match prediction: Liverpool 4-0 Barnsley, expecting a comfortable win despite cup magic.[1] Fourth-round draw followed at 6:35 PM on TNT Sports 1.[4]

Live updates captured early dominance, with full-time pending. Follow for goals, subs, and highlights.[1][5]