Liverpool moved into the FA Cup fourth round with a 4–1 win over Barnsley at Anfield yesterday, but the scoreline only tells half the story of a tie that briefly threatened to become awkward after a moment of avoidable carelessness let the League One visitors back into the contest.
The home side began at a pace that suggested they wanted the night settled early. After a couple of probing attacks down the flanks, Dominik Szoboszlai opened the scoring in spectacular fashion in the ninth minute, stepping onto a loose ball outside the box and rifling a fierce strike beyond the goalkeeper to spark a roar around Anfield. Liverpool kept pushing and were rewarded again before the break when Jeremie Frimpong, making his FA Cup debut for the club, surged forward and finished with real conviction to double the lead.
At that point it looked like a comfortable evening was on the way, but Barnsley refused to retreat into damage-limitation mode. They pressed higher than expected, chased second balls and began to force Liverpool into rushed passes. Their persistence was handed a huge boost when Szoboszlai, deep in his own half, attempted an extravagant backheel instead of taking the simple option. The ball went straight into danger and Adam Phillips pounced, drilling a finish past the goalkeeper to make it 2–1 and change the mood of the game in an instant.
Barnsley grew in belief after that, and there was a period where Liverpool looked strangely jittery, with the visitors appealing for a penalty during a lively spell in the second half. With no VAR in operation at this stage of the competition, the decision stayed with the on-field officials and play continued. Liverpool did have chances to restore a two-goal cushion—Erling Haaland missed a straightforward opening after being teed up from close range and later saw a header cleared off the line—while Barnsley continued to ask questions whenever they could get the ball into wide areas.
As the minutes ticked away, Arne Slot turned to his bench to bring control and freshness, and the late substitutions finally killed the contest. Florian Wirtz made it 3–1 with a composed finish after Liverpool opened Barnsley up with quicker passing in the final third, and Hugo Ekitike added a fourth soon after to put a gloss on the night and send Liverpool through without any late drama.
After the match, Slot praised the quality of Liverpool’s attacking play at times—especially the early goals—but was clearly irritated by the mistake that allowed Barnsley back into the tie. He described it as a poor decision regardless of the game state and admitted the match became “too tight” for his liking when it never needed to be. He also pointed to the number of chances Liverpool created as a positive, while stressing that game management has to improve in cup ties where momentum can turn quickly.
Barnsley boss Conor Hourihane struck a proud-but-frustrated tone. He applauded his players’ bravery and work rate, believing they showed they could compete for long periods at a stadium like Anfield, and felt the goal they earned changed the dynamic of the tie. At the same time, he was disappointed by the manner of the mistake that led to their opportunity, suggesting it was an unnecessary piece of showmanship, and lamented the small margins—particularly the penalty appeal—that might have made the final half-hour even more uncomfortable for the hosts.
In the end, Liverpool’s class told, with two early blows and two late finishes ensuring safe passage, while Barnsley leave with credit for refusing to fold and for briefly turning the evening into something more than a routine home win.
