Liverpool player ratings vs Barnsley: 7/10 'far too cocky' as 5/10 'doesn't threaten and 'silly' 4/10

Liverpool advanced into the FA Cup fourth round as they secured a 4-1 victory over Barnsley at Anfield.

The Premier League champions rode their luck against the League One visitors in the first half but goals from Dominik Szoboszlai, Jeremie Frimpong, Florian Wirtz and Hugoe Ekitike ensured that an upset was avoided.

Barnsley almost made the fairytale start when they struck the post after just 28 seconds. A cross found Tykes captain Davis Keillor-Dunn inside the box but his firm header struck the post. Then on six minutes, Nathanael Ogbeta sent a cross-cum-shot not too far over the bar.

But three minutes later, Liverpool showed their quality when they opened the scoring through a Szoboszlai wonder strike from 30 yards.

Yet Barnsley were still packing a punch and in the 24th minute, Jonathan Bland’s half-volley forced Reds goalkeeper Giorgi Mamardashvili to make a sprawling save.

Liverpool needed to double their advantage to quell the visitors’ momentum - and they did so nine minutes before half-time. Frimpong burst into the box and cracked a left-foot shot that beat Tykes goalkeeper Murphy Cooper at the near post.

It appeared that might wrap the encounter up but Liverpool gifted Barnsley a way back into the game. In his own box, Szoboszlai tried to backheel the ball for Mamardashvili but got his pass all wrong and Reds academy product Adam Phillips pounced to reduce the deficit.

Liverpool were on the front foot for much of the second half but struggled to regain a two-goal cushion. Virgil van Dijk was their most potent threat as he had a volley well saved by Cooper before heading just wide. However, Barnsley fired a warning shot in the 70th minute when Phillips was found on the edge of the box from a corner but his shot was cleared by Szoboszlai.

But with six minutes remaining, the Reds gave themselves breathing space when two substitutes combined. Hugo Ekitike played a clever backheel into the path of Wirtz, who displayed great composure to sweep into the far corner.

Barnsley did rally in stoppage-time but Mamardashvili went untested. And in the dying embers, Ekitike put the game to rest when he was found by Wirtz and slid home from close range.

The scoreline suggested the triumph was straightforward, although the performance in the opening period suggested otherwise. Regardless, Liverpool are in the fourth round of the FA Cup and will face Brighton & Hove Albion next month.

Liverpool player ratings vs Barnsley