Liverpool vs Barnsley LIVE - FA Cup Third Round

Anfield, January 12, 2026 - Liverpool hosted League One side Barnsley in the FA Cup third round, aiming to extend their perfect record of 11 wins from ties played on this date.[1] Kick-off was at 19:45 UTC, with live coverage across major platforms.[4][5]

Match Preview

Liverpool entered as heavy favorites (-2.5 handicap), but faced injury woes: Alexander Isak (broken leg), Conor Bradley (knee, out for season), Giovanni Leoni (cruciate), Hugo Ekitike, Stefan Bajcetic, and Wataru Endo all sidelined. Barnsley had a clean bill of health and key performers like D. Kellior-Dunn (2 goals in 2), P. Kelly (1 goal), and N. Farrugia (2 assists).[3][4] Historical context included Barnsley's 2-1 upset win over Liverpool in 2008.[3]

Live Updates & Highlights

The match delivered drama, ending 3-2 to Liverpool in a thriller. Conor Bradley opened scoring with a turned-in effort, assisted by Federico Chiesa's flair.[2] Cody Gakpo added composure to make it 2-0, exploiting a gap.[2] Curtis Jones struck a fine hit, his first since Boxing Day, while Mohamed Salah's inevitable finish sealed the 1-0 advantage early on—later part of the 3-2 scoreline.[2] Barnsley pushed back with chances, including a host of quick succession opportunities and an offside call on a breakaway.[2]

Live scores showed 0-0 at stages on Sky Sports, reflecting a tense affair.[7] ESPN and FotMob provided stats, H2H, and lineups, with Liverpool's recent form: 0-0 vs Arsenal, 2-2 vs Fulham.[3][7]

Post-Match Notes

Liverpool defended their January 12 FA Cup streak, advancing despite Barnsley's resilience. Fans applauded efforts, with Salah and Gakpo starring. Full highlights available on YouTube.[1][2] (298 words)