Liverpool defeated Barnsley 4-1 to secure their place in the FA Cup fourth round, but the scoreline looked even more convincing than the actual game at Anfield. The Reds fielded a strong side to face their League One opponents, but they almost fell behind when Tykes hit the post from close range after just 30 seconds. Dominik Szoboszlai then put Liverpool ahead with a ferocious 25-yard screamer in the eighth minute.
Jeremy Frimpong’s goal doubled the Giants’ advantage in the Premier League, but a horrifying error from Szoboszlai allowed Adam Phillips to tap in from just a few yards out before half-time. Barnsley kept a nearly full-strength Liverpool side honest, but Arne Slott’s side stopped the game through substitutes Florian Wirtz and Hugo Ekitike, earning them a fourth-round tie against Brighton next month. Express Sport rates and predicts the Reds…
Liverpool vs Barnsley player ratings
Giorgi Mamadashvili – 6
A good save from Jonathan Brand prevented Davis Keilor-Dunn’s shot as well. There was absolutely nothing he could do about the goal, which was the only shot on target he faced.
Jeremy Frimpong – 7
After making enough progress up front, he scored a great goal to make it 2-0 before half-time. The Dutch player is in very good form.
Joe Gomez – 5
Keilor-Dunn would have been responsible had he scored in the first 30 seconds and looked lackluster throughout the first half. In the second half, he showed good defense to block Keilor-Dunn’s shot that hit the near post, but it was disappointing that he returned to the starting lineup. He was booked for a cynical foul.
Virgil van Dijk – 6
After being easily brought down by Keilor-Dunn, he fired straight at Mamadashvili, but his expert volley was well saved in the second half. He should have made it 3-1 from Kodi Gakpo’s cross, but he headed it wide.
Andy Robertson – 6
Even though he saw the ball a lot, he couldn’t contribute much.
Alexis Mac Allister – 6
A mixed night. He was caught on the ball by Barnsley’s early attacks and had two assists, although he was below par at times.
Curtis Jones – 7
He had a shot blocked in the corner and sent a great pass to Gakpo, creating a chance in the first half. He used the ball well and helped control the team.
Dominik Szoboszlai – 6
He would have been man of the match if he hadn’t made an absolute mistake allowing Barnsley to score and being marked down from 8/10. He scored an absolute thunderbolt to make it 1-0, his sixth goal of the season. However, it must be said that after his mistake, he made a superb last-ditch tackle on Reyes Cleary in the box and produced a superb cross from substitute Wirtz that should have scored. He found Wirtz and scored the fourth goal.
Federico Chiesa – 5
Although he works hard, his final product was too poor with some sloppy passes. A shot was blocked early in the second half, but other than that it was very quiet in front of goal. I didn’t take advantage of the opportunity to make a good impression.
Kodi Gakpo – 6
He was very isolated as a center forward, but with the arrival of Hugo Ekitike, he became more active and moved to the left wing. One shot was blocked and another saved, but a good cross to Van Dijk should have given him the assist.
Rio Ngmoja – 6
Tricky and had some great moments, but his final product was still underdeveloped, with one great cross to Curtis Jones at the back post. After Wirtz came on, he switched to right and stretched to keep the ball in play before leaving with an injury.
substitute
Ibrahima Konate (Gomez 60) – 6
He helped see the victory. Great recovery run to deny Corey O’Keeffe in stoppage time.
Florian Wirtz (Frimpong 60) – 7
Szoboszlai’s sensational cross was a very bad mistake, but he then curled it in nicely to make it 3-1 and end the game. His late counter-attack was spoiled, but he made a great run and cross to grab the fourth goal and slot home Ekitike.
Hugo Equitique (Chiesa 59) – 7
His return from injury was a welcome boost, and he scored the third goal with a sublime flick for Wirtz before curling in the German’s cross to add sparkle to the scoreline in the dying minutes.
Ryan Gravenbirch (Ngumoha 73) – N/A
A few minutes on the legs.
Trey Nyoni (Mac Allister 88) – N/A
Another new appearance to his name.
