Liverpool won 4-1 against Barnsley in a match where the Anfield side struggled to overcome their opponent, who are playing in the third division.
Liverpool started proactively and quickly took the lead thanks to a moment of brilliance from Dominik Szoboszlai. The Hungarian midfielder unleashed a powerful long-range shot that nestled into the top corner of the Barnsley goal, giving Liverpool the advantage in the 9th minute. The game continued to favor the Anfield side, and Jeremie Frimpong doubled the lead in the 36th minute.
MacAllister (10) assisted both goals of Szoboszlai and Frimpong
However, Liverpool failed to maintain the necessary solidity. Towards the end of the first half, Szoboszlai went from hero to villain when he mishandled the ball in the penalty area, allowing Adam Phillips to score and reduce the deficit for Barnsley. This goal boosted the visitors' confidence and made the game more tense than initially anticipated.
Bansley reduced the deficit at the end of the first half.
In the second half, Barnsley played with great determination and frustration after being denied a penalty following a collision inside the Liverpool penalty area. Under pressure from their opponents, manager Arne Slot was forced to bring on several key players after more than an hour of play, including Florian Wirtz and Hugo Ekitike, in order to strengthen the attack.
Despite dominating possession, Liverpool struggled to break through Barnsley's disciplined defense. It wasn't until the final minutes that the difference was made, thanks to the class of the players who came off the bench.
Florian Wirtz and Hugo Ekitike took turns assisting and scoring the last two goals.
In the 84th minute, Ekitike cleverly set up Wirtz for a precise curling shot, extending the lead to 3-1 and virtually extinguishing any hope for the visitors. In injury time, the two combined again, this time Wirtz providing the assist for Ekitike to easily score, sealing a 4-1 victory for Liverpool.
The FA Cup campaign is starting to get exciting.
By defeating Barnsley, Liverpool secured their place in the fourth round of the FA Cup and will continue to play at home, where they will face Brighton. The match also showcased the depth of their squad and the ability of their substitutes to create breakthroughs – a crucial factor for Liverpool in the upcoming busy fixture schedule.
Results of the FA Cup fourth round draw (plays on February 14)
Liverpool – Brighton
Southampton – Leicester
Arsenal – Wigan Athletic
Hull City – Chelsea
Aston Villa – Newcastle
Man City – Salford City/Swindon Town
Macclesfield FC – Brentford