Liverpool booked their place in the FA Cup fourth round with a comfortable 4–1 victory over League One side Barnsley at Anfield, but the night belonged to Dominik Szoboszlai for contrasting reasons. The Hungarian midfielder delivered a moment of pure brilliance before undoing his good work with an uncharacteristic error, perfectly capturing the unpredictable nature of cup football.
Despite the final scoreline suggesting a routine win, the match offered several talking points—none more so than Szoboszlai’s performance, which swung between elite quality and costly carelessness.
A Goal Worth the Ticket Price
Liverpool started the match with authority, controlling possession and pinning Barnsley deep in their own half. The breakthrough arrived courtesy of Szoboszlai, who reminded everyone why he is regarded as one of the most technically gifted midfielders in Europe.
Spotting space from distance, the 23-year-old unleashed a thunderous strike that flew into the top corner, leaving the Barnsley goalkeeper rooted to the spot. It was a goal of confidence, technique, and conviction—exactly the type of moment that lifts a home crowd and settles nerves early in a cup tie.
The goal set the tone for Liverpool’s dominance, as they continued to move the ball with patience and purpose.
Liverpool Take Control Before the Break
Barnsley worked hard to stay compact, but Liverpool’s quality eventually told again before half-time. Jeremie Frimpong doubled the lead with a well-taken finish, capitalising on sustained pressure and smart movement down the right flank.
At 2–0, the tie appeared all but decided. Liverpool were composed, Barnsley were struggling to escape their half, and Anfield settled into a familiar rhythm of expectation rather than tension.
However, football rarely follows a script.
A Costly Mistake Brings Barnsley Hope
Just when Liverpool looked comfortable, Szoboszlai experienced the other side of the game. Attempting a casual backheel inside his own penalty area, the midfielder misjudged the moment completely. The loose ball fell kindly for Adam Phillips, who made no mistake by smashing it into the net.
The error handed Barnsley a lifeline they scarcely expected, briefly shifting the momentum and injecting belief into the visiting side.
Barnsley manager Conor Hourihane was later left frustrated when his team were denied a penalty in the second half after what he felt was a clear trip by Szoboszlai on Reyes Cleary. The referee waved play on, adding to the sense that Liverpool were walking a fine line.
Slot Turns to His Bench
With Liverpool’s attacking play losing sharpness after the break, Arne Slot made decisive changes just after the hour mark. Florian Wirtz, Hugo Ekitike, Ibrahima Konate, and Ryan Gravenberch were all introduced, signaling Liverpool’s intent to kill the game rather than manage it.
The impact was not immediate, but the added quality gradually stretched Barnsley’s tiring defence.
Late Goals Seal the Win
Liverpool’s patience paid off in the final minutes. Ekitike’s clever flick created space for Wirtz, who curled a precise finish into the top corner, continuing his impressive run of form with a third goal in five matches.
In stoppage time, the duo combined again—this time with Wirtz turning provider and Ekitike applying the finish from close range to make it 4–1.
Progress, Lessons, and Perspective
Liverpool’s reward is a home tie against Brighton in the fourth round, a test that will demand greater concentration and fewer mistakes. While Szoboszlai’s error will be reviewed, his overall influence and match-winning ability remain clear.
For Liverpool, this was a night of progress without perfection—a reminder that even dominant performances carry lessons. In the FA Cup, advancement matters most, and on that front, the Reds delivered.