Liverpool 4-1 Barnsley result - Dominik Szoboszlai endures torrid night as Arne Slot's side secure Emirates FA Cup fourth-round clash with Brighton

The Emirates FA Cup / 3rd Round

Anfield / 12.01.2026

Liverpool

Finished

Barnsley

A. Phillips(40')

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Highlights

00:00

HIGHLIGHTS: LIVERPOOL 4-1 BARNSLEY

Highlights: Liverpool come through Barnsley test to reach fourth round

Video credit: TNT Sports

22:08

LIVERPOOL FIND FINISHING POWER TO END BRAVE BARNSLEY CHALLENGE

Dominik Szoboszlai endured a torrid night of emotions as Liverpool set up an all-Premier League fourth-round clash with Brighton in the Emirates FA Cup courtesy of a 4-1 win over battling Barnsley.

The English champions produced two blistering finishes to move two up before half-time in the third-round tie at Anfield with Szoboszlai netting from 25 yards on nine minutes and Jeremie Frimpong smashing home a superb second on 36 minutes.

But Hungary midfielder Szoboszlai handed the League One side a lifeline when he bizarrely opted to try to backheel the ball in front of his own goal on 40 minutes as former Liverpool Academy kid Adam Phillips pounced to finish the gift with ease.

Szoboszlai was again involved in the second half when he collided with the impressive Reyes Cleary on 63 minutes, but the Liverpool player seemed to win the ball as the referee waved play on amid huge protests from the visiting bench.

It was to prove a pivotal moment as the home side gave the scoreline a more polished look when substitute Florian Wirtz buried the third on 84 minutes before he played provider for Hugo Ekitike to add the fourth deep in added time.

It was a scoreline that probably flattered Arne Slot's eight-time FA Cup winners, who will welcome Brighton to Anfield on the weekend of February 14/15 for the fourth round.

Wirtz restores Liverpool’s two-goal cushion with sublime curling effort

Video credit: TNT Sports

22:05

ARNE SLOT ON 'WEIRD' SZOBOSZLAI ERROR AFTER EMIRATES FA CUP WIN

"I was happy with the goals we scored," said the Liverpool manager on TNT Sports. "But the game was too tight for too long. The goal we conceded made it difficult. Another bad moment and it could have been 2-2."

On the Szoboszlai mistake: "I don't think you should do it in a friendly game or a training session. It was a weird choice, and I also have an opinion about it, but I prefer to keep it to myself and share it with Dom."

Barnsley manager Conor Hourihane told TNT Sports: "I was a little disappointed with our goal, if I'm honest. I don't think the player would do that against Chelsea or Arsenal, or in a Champions League game. So I was a little bit with that."

When asked if he felt it was a moment of disrespect, he added: "Potentially. I don't think he does that in a Premier League game."

And Liverpool icon Steve McManaman commented: "That is so alien to anyone playing football professionally at the highest level. He could have done anything. Kicked it into The Kop, into the Kenny Dalglish Stand.

"It was hardest thing ever to comprehend. I'm still incredibly confused about what was going through his mind at that particular moment in time.

"They're going to have to play a lot better when they play Brighton in a few weeks, but they've scored four goals so we can't go overboard with the criticism."

‘What is he thinking?’ – Watch as Barnsley gifted lifeline after absurd Szoboszlai error

Video credit: TNT Sports

21:47

DOMINIK SZOBOSZLAI ISSUES APOLOGY AFTER BLUNDER

"I'm sorry for the team," said the Liverpool and Hungary midfielder on TNT Sports. "I made it hard for us with an easy mistake.

"But football happens, and take it, and we move onto the next round. We always take it seriously, whoever we play, but it shows we need the full squad.

"The players who came in showed their quality."

‘I made it hard for us’ – Szoboszlai reflects on Liverpool win over Barnsley

Video credit: TNT Sports

Full time

90+5'

AND THERE IS THE FINAL WHISTLE!

A 4-1 win in the end for Liverpool. Which doesn't tell you the story of the night. Liverpool are through to face Brighton in the fourth round at Anfield next month.

90+4'

GOAL! (EKITIKE) LIVERPOOL 4-1 BARNSLEY

A fine move and finish from Liverpool on the move as Wirtz beats the offside trap to cross for Hugo Ekitiké to tap home.

Goal

H. Ekitike

Liverpool

90+4'

BARNSLEY PUSHING RIGHT TO THE END OUT THERE!

O'Keefe sees a shot deflected wide by Konate racing back before David McGoldrick heads over from the Cleary cross.

90+3'

WATCH: WIRTZ SETTLES LIVERPOOL NERVES WITH BRILLIANT THIRD GOAL

90+1'

FIVE MINUTES TO BE ADDED AT ANFIELD

Looks like Barnsley have run their race for the evening, but they have certainly not disgraced themselves here. Have really performed strongly, and might have had a penalty on another day.

88'

LATE CHANGES THE ORDER OF THE DAY

Trey Nyoni replaces Alexis Mac Allister for the home side. Georgie Gent is on for Vimal Yoganathan for the visitors.

Substitution in

T. Nyoni

Liverpool

Substitution out

A. Mac Allister

Liverpool

86'

ALLY MCCOIST ON THE QUALITY OF THE WIRTZ GOAL

"It's a beautiful goal, a wonderful finish, lovely flick from Ekitike," he said on TNT Sports. "Everything about it was special. He curls it in top corner, goalkeeper has no chance. The quality of the three Liverpool goals are not up for debate tonight."

84'

GOAL! (WIRTZ) LIVERPOOL 3-1 BARNSLEY

Game, set and match for the home side surely as Wirtz slams a finish high into the corner of the net. Supreme finish. Hugo Ekitiké with a delightful assist. Liverpool fans can breathe easier now.

Goal

F. Wirtz

Liverpool

82'

THE VISITORS TRYING TO FORCE THIS TIE TO EXTRA-TIME

David McGoldrick replaces Davis Keillor-Dunn for the Tykes after O'Keeffe does well to deny Gakpo a free header at goal.

Substitution in

D. McGoldrick

Barnsley

Substitution out

D. Keillor-Dunn

Barnsley

80'

WATCH: WERE BATTLING BARNSLEY DENIED A PENALTY AT ANFIELD?

'Wow' - Ref waves away penalty claims as Barnsley push for equaliser against Liverpool

Video credit: TNT Sports

78'

GOLDEN CHANCE FOR LIVERPOOL TO SEAL THE DEAL!

But Florian Wirtz knocks his finish over the bar with his right foot when it looked easier to score with his left. Bad miss. Excellent cross by that man Szoboszlai.

76'

ALLY MCCOIST PRAISE FOR BARNSLEY EFFORTS

"15 minutes to go," said the TNT Sports analyst. "It has been a great Cup tie, it really has. Barnsley have played really well. Work-rate and running power of Kellior-Dunn."

74'

LIVERPOOL WITH ANOTHER ALTERATION

Ryan Gravenberch replaces Rio Ngumoha, who has strained a leg muscle. Which is not the best of news.

Substitution in

R. Gravenberch

Liverpool

Substitution out

R. Ngumoha

Liverpool

73'

THE VISITORS ALSO GOING TO MAKE A COUPLE OF CHANGES

Eoghan O'Connell replaces Nathanael Ogbeta and Patrick Kelly is on for Adam Phillips.

Substitution in

P. Kelly

Barnsley

Substitution out

A. Phillips

Barnsley

71'

ALL A BIT NERVY HERE FOR LIVERPOOL

This was not the sort of night Liverpool were after against a visiting side who are 17th in League One. On this showing, you have to wonder why? Phillips with a shot at goal that is nodded away by Szoboszlai.

69'

LIVERPOOL TRYING TO UNEARTH THIS KILLER THIRD GOAL

Has been a bit of a struggle this evening, it must be said as Virgil van Dijk heads wide from a Gakpo cross. All about huff and puff from the English champions.

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