Liverpool 4-1 Barnsley: Arne Slott’s Reds, with Dominik Szoboszlai at the heart of everything, did everything in their power to find a way to beat Barnsley in the FA Cup.
Dominik Szoboszlai had a dramatic night against Barnsley (Image: Getty Images)
Liverpool reached the fourth round of the FA Cup with a 4-1 win over Barnsley on a rollercoaster night for Dominik Szoboszlai.
The Reds had to weather an early storm from the Ligue 1 side until the Hungarian midfielder’s lightning strike took them ahead. Defender Jeremy Frimpong then tried to outdo him with a fine effort of his own.
Just when it looked like Liverpool would move on to the next game with ease, a bizarre error from Szoboszlai led to Adam Phillips’ goal. Arne Slott’s side eventually qualified for the fourth round thanks to late goals from Florian Wirtz and Hugo Ekitike.
Liverpool’s victory seals their place in the fourth round with Premier League rivals Brighton, who defeated Manchester United at the weekend. Here are the key talking points at Anfield:
read more: Xabi Alonso has already withdrawn a major offer to Liverpool after the Real Madrid manager was brutally sackedread more: Arsenal, Liverpool and Chelsea learn their fate in FA Cup 4th round draw
Barnsley got off to a bright start
One of Liverpool’s main problems this season has been their sloppy goal conceding. And they almost conceded yet another goal just seconds after kick-off against a League One opponent.
Davis Keilor-Dunn managed to evade his marker and hit a powerful header against the post less than a minute into the game.
Nathanael Ogbeta then went close to scoring with a powerful shot over the crossbar, while Giorgi Mamadashvili had to stay agile to parry Jonathan Brand’s shot.
Davis Keilor-Dunn hits the post with an early header (Image: Getty Images)
Who was the Man of the Match between Liverpool and Barnsley? Share your thoughts in the comments section below
Švosozlai shines in the opening game
Despite a good start from the visiting team, it was Liverpool who took the lead. The ball reached Szoboszlai with 25 yards to go and he thundered into the top corner to add another incredible shot on goal.
Szoboszlai has scored six goals this season and needs two more to equal last season’s record.
Frimpong eases Bradley’s worries.
If Frimpong can stay fit and maintain the form he is currently showing, Liverpool manager Arne Slott will have little to worry about in the right-back position at Anfield. Reds defender Connor Bradley was recently linked to a knee problem that could keep him out for an extended period of time.
But Frimpong sent a message about what can be done with great effort on one’s own. The Dutchman picked up the ball on the right and fired an eye-catching left-footed shot into the roof of the net.
He demonstrated his attacking power at his former club Leverkusen, and now he seems to be showing the same ability at Liverpool.
Jeremy Frimpong celebrates his second goal of the season (Image: Getty Images)
From hero to zero
What did you think of Liverpool and the sloppy goal? Despite surviving Barnsley’s early attack, the Reds gave their opponents a golden chance to get back into the game shortly after Frimpong’s goal.
For some reason, Szoboszlai tried to backheel the ball to Mamadashvili, who was just a few yards from the goal. But he couldn’t make any contact and just passed it to Phillips, who scored.
It was a moment that stunned Arne Slott and left the crowd inside Anfield stunned.
Penalty appeal was dismissed
With an hour remaining, it looked as if Szoboszlai had gifted Barnsley an equalizer. Reyes apparently sprinted into acres of space and fell under a challenge from the midfielder.
Barnsley players, fans and manager Conor Hourihane begged for a penalty, but the referee remained unmoved and the decision stood as VAR was not used.
Liverpool may have felt they were lucky, as Cleary appeared to have a slight touch and an arm on his shoulder.
Conor Hourihane was furious after his team failed to win a penalty at Anfield (Image: Getty Images)
Wirtz and Ekitike book date in Brighton
On a night of spectacular and bizarre goals, Wirtz added another late on to seal Liverpool’s place in the next round. After scoring twice in the Premier League last month, the German playmaker added another goal by curling a shot into the far corner to cap a fine team move.
The returning Frenchman then marked his return from injury with a goal, and Wilts scored for Ekitike in the closing stages. Werts certainly seems to be finding his feet in England and Slott will be keen to watch him develop his form between now and the end of the season.
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