Liverpool work hard for a 4-1 win

Dominik Szoboszlai scored a stunning goal and screamed as Liverpool beat third division Barnsley 4-1 on Monday to set up an FA Cup fourth round home clash with Premier League rivals Brighton & Hove Albion.

The Hungarian opened Liverpool’s account with a long-range screamer in the ninth minute after Barnsley’s Davies Keillor-Dunn had headed home inside the opening 30 seconds.

Right-back Jeremy Frimbong, on his FA Cup debut, unleashed a terrific left-footed effort in the 36th minute to put Liverpool 2-0 up at a chilly Anfield.

Szoboszlai then went from sublime to ridiculous in a moment of shocking carelessness that gave Barnsley a lifeline in the 40th minute.

Seemingly trying to back-heel goalkeeper Giorgi Mamardashvili, the Hungarian instead laid the ball perfectly flat for Barnsley’s Adam Phillips, who spent eight years in Liverpool’s academy, to tap into the Kop End.

Strong initial shape

Liverpool made it 3-1 in the 84th when second-half substitute Florian Wirtz made up for a glaring miss earlier by curling a shot into the top right corner to put the result beyond doubt.

Hugo Ekitike, also coming off the bench, added the icing on the cake with Wirtz’s fourth assist in the fourth minute of stoppage time.

The hosts, who suffered a shock fourth-round defeat last year to second-tier Plymouth Argyle, showed they were taking the game seriously by fielding a stronger-than-expected starting line-up.

Manager Arne Slot made six changes to his starting XI from the side that drew 0-0 with Premier League leaders Arsenal last Thursday.

Barnsley still made it difficult for them, fighting for every ball and having a penalty denied in the 61st minute when striker Reiss Cleary went down after a challenge from Szoboszlai with no VAR until the fifth round.

Barnsley manager Conor Hourihane was booked for his reaction and said after the game that Szoboszlai was also “disrespectful” in trying to backheel.

“I don’t think a player does that against Chelsea against Arsenal or in a Champions League game. I’m a bit disappointed with that to be honest,” said the Irishman.

Slott gave this short turn, sparing his player: “What is disrespect? I don’t think you should do that in a Premier League game, a League Cup game, a friendly game or a training session,” the Dutchman said.

“It’s an odd choice and I have my opinion on it too, but I’d rather keep it to myself and talk it over with Dom.”

Szoboszlai apologized to the team: “I made it difficult for us with the easy mistake, I would say. Football happens, we move on. We go to the next round,” he told TNT Sports.

“We wanted to show that we take the FA Cup seriously. We showed today that we need the whole squad, they also showed quality. We need everyone.”

Arne Slot was also unhappy with his midfielder, who has been Liverpool’s standout performer so far in a difficult season for the English champions.

“I don’t think you should do that in an FA Cup game, a League Cup game, or a friendly game or a training session. It was a strange choice,” Slott said.

“I have my opinion on that too, but I’d rather keep it to myself and talk it over with Dom.”