Late Goals Secure Liverpool’s Victory Over Barnsley in FA Cup Clash

Late goals illuminated Liverpool’s victory over a spirited Barnsley side in the FA Cup, though the match was not without its controversies.

Dominik Szoboszlai, who netted a stunning goal during the game, found himself at the center of a debate following a significant error. In a moment he would prefer to forget, Szoboszlai attempted an ill-advised backheel pass in his own box that allowed Barnsley’s Adam Phillips to score. Barnsley manager Conor Hourihane labeled the move as ‘disrespectful,’ while Liverpool’s coach Arne Slot described it as a ‘weird choice.’

Despite the mistake, Szoboszlai’s overall performance shone through as he became the first Premier League player this season to achieve over 100 completed passes (105) and regain possession more than ten times (12) in a single match. Reflecting on his error, Szoboszlai admitted, “I made it hard for us with an easy mistake, but football moves on and we take the next round.”

The match saw Liverpool dominate for large portions, though Barnsley had their chances. Former Crystal Palace and Reading winger Jobi McAnuff remarked on the ease with which Liverpool played during the first half, although Barnsley missed key opportunities.

In a pivotal second-half moment, Barnsley felt they should have been awarded a penalty when Reyes Cleary went down after contact with Szoboszlai. While Hourihane believed it was a clear penalty, others were divided on the decision. Former players on TNT Sports expressed differing views, with some insisting it was a foul, while others defended the referee’s decision not to award a penalty.

Without the use of Video Assistant Referees (VAR) until the fifth round of the FA Cup, the on-field decision stood, leaving Barnsley with no recourse for revision. Slot confirmed that he was informed the incident was not a penalty, adding to the frustration for the Barnsley side.

Ultimately, Liverpool’s victory marked their 11th consecutive game without defeat across all competitions, their best streak since an unbeaten run of 24 matches from September 2024 to January 2025. Slot’s substitutions late in the game, particularly introducing Florian Wirtz and Hugo Ekitike, proved beneficial as they combined effectively to secure the win.

“If you come in for half an hour and you have a goal and an assist, you can definitely say he brought something creative to the team, which is what we needed,” Slot praised of Wirtz.

Szoboszlai emphasized the team’s commitment to the FA Cup, stating that they take the competition seriously and that squad depth is crucial for success. Fortunately for him, Liverpool’s late surge meant they did not dwell on his earlier lapse.