Home » Sport » Liverpool Edge Barnsley 2-0 in FA Cup Thriller as Szoboszlai’s Mis‑hit Sparks Drama

Liverpool Edge Barnsley 2-0 in FA Cup Thriller as Szoboszlai’s Mis‑hit Sparks Drama

by Luis Mendoza - Sport Editor

Liverpool edge Barnsley too reach FA Cup fourth round, set up Brighton clash

Liverpool advanced to the FA Cup fourth round after a hard-fought win over 57-places-lower Barnsley at Anfield. The victory seals a tie with Brighton and keeps Arne Slot’s side on a strong run of form.

Breaking News: late goals seal the win as Reds survive a spirited challenge

Dominik Szoboszlai opened the scoring with a precise strike from outside the box, giving Liverpool the impetus early on. jeremie Frimpong doubled the advantage with a well-placed left-footed shot in the 36th minute, putting the hosts in control heading into the break.

Just before the interval, a mishap from Szoboszlai in his own box allowed Barnsley to pull one back. He attempted a backheel clearance to goalkeeper Giorgi Mamardashvili and instead set up Adam Phillips to finish in front of the kop, restoring hope for the visitors at 2-1.

in a tense second half, Barnsley pressed for an equaliser, with a penalty appeal for a challenge on Reyes Cleary waved away when there was no video review available in the competition’s third round.

Late drama ensued as Liverpool added a pair of goals from substitutes. Hugo Ekitike combined with Florian Wirtz to carve out a finishing move,with Wirtz curling a superb strike into the top corner. In stoppage time, Ekitike pounced to slot home at the back post, securing the 4-1 final scoreline.

Lineups and tactical notes

Slot kept faith with his plan,making only a handful of changes. Young midfielder Rio Ngumoha and forward Federico Chiesa started, while Ekitike returned from injury to feature as a substitute in the second period.

Barnsley, despite the daunting lower-league gap, started strongly and even hit the crossbar through Davis Keillor-Dunn in the opening minutes. The visitors tested Liverpool’s resolve, but the Reds’ depth and late energy proved decisive as the match wore on.

Key moments table

Event Minute Detail
Szoboszlai opener First half From outside the box to put Liverpool ahead
Frimpong doubles the led 36′ Left-footed finish to make it 2-0
Barnsley lifeline 40′ Szoboszlai backheel miscue leads to Phillips goal
Ekitike goal Added time Tap-in at the back post after a late move
Wirtz clincher Added time Unstoppable shot to the top corner

What this win means

Liverpool extend an unbeaten run to 11 matches and book a fourth-round date with brighton. The result underlines the club’s growing depth, with new faces contributing and senior figures delivering when it mattered most.

Evergreen insights: Cup magic and squad depth

FA Cup ties often hinge on momentary errors and late-season energy. A mistake by a standout player or a misjudged clearance can shift momentum in a single moment, as shown when Szoboszlai’s backheel changed the mood of the match. The blend of youth and experience, evidenced by Ngumoha and Chiesa starting while Ekitike contributed off the bench, illustrates why deep squads become a competitive edge in domestic cups. Over time,teams that balance attack and resilience in knockout football tend to convert chances more consistently than those relying on a single system or a single set of stars.

As Liverpool looks ahead to Brighton, fans can anticipate continued evaluation of emerging talents and the strategic use of substitutes in high-stakes fixtures. The competition remains a proving ground for the squad’s breadth and a stage for players to stake a claim for bigger roles in the league run-in.

Reader engagement

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