Liverpool vs Barnsley live: Ekitike and Wirtz goals book spot in FA Cup fourth round
Liverpool 4-1 Barnsley: The Reds will face Brighton in the next round after progressing
Liverpool booked their spot in the fourth round of the FA Cup after a tense and nervous 4-1 victory over League One side Barnsley.
The Reds may have thought it would be an easy outing against a side two leagues lower than them in the football pyramid but their assumptions were blown away inside the opening minute as former academy player Adam Phillips set up Davis Keillor-Dunn for a headed effort which struck the post.
Liverpool then took the lead through Dominik Szoboszlai who fired in a strike from range to put the hosts in control and their momentum was boosted by a similarly well-struck shot from Jeremie Frimpong.
On the stroke of half-time, Szoboszlai miscued an attempted backheel in his own box which set up Phillips to score for Barnsley and they headed into the break with belief of an upset.
The second half saw Reyes Cleary go down in the box but the referee waved away the penalty shouts as Barnsley frustrated Liverpool. Arne Slot then called on his substitutes with Florian Wirtz and Hugo Ekitike coming on to score a final two goals and send Liverpool into the next round.
Relive the action from Anfield as Liverpool host Barnsley in the FA Cup:
Dominik Szoboszlai marries the sublime with the ridiculous on night of mixed fortune
Few score from 30 yards and create a goal with a backheel in the same game. When a player does, it could be cause for unadulterated joy. The sight of a crestfallen Dominik Szoboszlai told another tale. He struck for Liverpool in spectacular style, gifted Barnsley a goal with an embarrassing blunder and was the man of the match in the sense it revolved around him to a remarkable extent; Barnsley wanted a penalty for his shirt tug on the lively Reyes Cleary. The night ended with Liverpool progressing in the FA Cup simultaneously because of and despite Szoboszlai.
Dominik Szoboszlai marries the sublime with the ridiculous on night of mixed fortune
A new record for Liverpool
Liverpool have progressed from 14 of their last 15 FA Cup third round ties – since 2011-12, that’s the joint most of any side, along with Chelsea and Manchester City.
Liverpool need time to gel
"I think we need a little bit more time to get to know each other better,” said Szoboszlai after the game.
“From the summer on I think we have developed a lot. All the new guys have settled well, I think.
“I'm happy for Florian and Hugo and for all the guys."
Szoboszlai on Liverpool's start in FA Cup:
"We wanted to show that we take the FA Cup seriously.
“We always take it seriously. We showed again today we need the whole squad.
“The new guys came in, who didn't play as much as the others, and they showed lots of quality. We need everyone."
Szoboszlai on his backheel blunder:
"Sorry to the team again - I made it hard for us. It was an easy mistake, I would say.
“Football happens and we move on."
Barnsley will feel the scoreline flatters Liverpool
Barnsley may feel that 4-1 flattered Liverpool there but Slot's bench strength proved decisive at the end with those goals from Wirtz and Ekitike.”
Full-time! Liverpool 4-1 Barnsley
There goes the final whistle, Liverpool head into the fourth round and in the end get the job done without too many issues.
GOAL! Liverpool 4-1 Barnsley (Hugo Ekitike, 90+4)
Another one!
Hugo Ekitike comes off the bench and makes sure Liverpool go through.
The scoreline flatters Liverpool who catch Barnsley on the break with Florian Wirtz setting up his teammate for the simplest of tap ins.
Liverpool 3-1 Barnsley
90+3 mins: O’Keeffe and McGoldrick play a one-two with each other allowing the former to charge into the Liverpool box.
Konate gets back and blocks the shot from O’Keeffe but Barnsley have a corner.
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