What Arne Slot Did Before Straightforward FA Cup Win Over Barnsley Shows Big Liverpool Change

In a match that tested Liverpool's resolve, Arne Slot's strong team selection before their FA Cup third-round clash against Barnsley highlighted a significant shift in approach, bucking past trends of rotation and underscoring his intent to prioritize cup success[2][5][6]. Unlike the previous season's shock exit to Plymouth, Slot fielded a robust starting XI at Anfield on January 12, 2026, including key players from their recent goalless draw at Arsenal, with only six changes that barely weakened the side—featuring Joe Gomez, Federico Chiesa, Curtis Jones, Andy Robertson, 17-year-old Rio Ngumoha, and Georgia goalkeeper Giorgi Mamardashvili[3][6].

The game began promisingly for the Reds, who surged to a 2-0 lead with stunning strikes from Dominik Szoboszlai—a 30-meter rocket after just eight minutes—and Jeremie Frimpong, silencing the traveling Barnsley fans[1][4][6]. However, Szoboszlai's hero-to-villain moment came five minutes before halftime: a reckless backheel pass inside his own six-yard box gifted Adam Phillips an easy tap-in, making it 2-1 and injecting tension into what should have been a routine affair[1][4][6]. Slot later criticized the "weird choice," opting to address it privately with the Hungarian, who apologized post-match, noting it made the game "hard for us with an easy mistake[1][4]."

Barnsley, 17th in League One and 57 places below Liverpool in the pyramid, punched above their weight, nearly forcing an upset and even threatening a penalty early in the second half[4][6]. Slot responded decisively after an hour, unleashing high-value substitutes like Florian Wirtz, Hugo Ekitiké, and Ibrahima Konaté from a bench boasting over £250 million in summer signings[4][6]. Wirtz curled in the crucial third in the 84th minute, with Ekitiké tapping home a fourth in stoppage time for a flattering 4-1 victory, securing a fourth-round home tie against Brighton on February 14 weekend[1][4][6].

Slot conceded the win was "too tight for far too long," praising the "nice goals" but lamenting the nervy second half until the late surge[1]. This result extended Liverpool's unbeaten run to 11 games since their November Champions League loss to PSG, showcasing their grit despite the scoreline[4]. Fans adored spotting the strong lineup in the tunnel, signaling Slot's renewed FA Cup commitment[2]. (298 words)