Liverpool cruised to a 4-1 victory over Barnsley in the third round of the 2025/26 FA Cup at Anfield and progress into the next round in style on Monday.

In the first half, early on, Keillor-Dunn's header hit the post, Szoboszlai scored a stunning long-range strike, Frimpong netted from a difficult angle, and a clearance error by Szoboszlai allowed Phillips to easily tap in from close range. In the second half, Wirtz opened the scoring with a powerful shot, and Ekitike added another by a sliding the ball into the net. Ultimately, Liverpool defeated Barnsley 4-1 to advance to the next round. In the next round, the Reds will face Brighton, who had surprisingly eliminated their arch-rivals Manchester United the previous day.

First Half

Just one minute into the game, Adam Phillips crossed into the box from the right wing, where Davis Keillor-Dunn rose high and attempted with a header in the box, but unfortunately, his effort struck the bottom right corner of the post and bounced off! Barnsley missed a golden opportunity to take a shock early lead!

Eight minutes later, Alexis Mac Allister pass horizontally from the right wing, Dominik Szoboszlai quickly followed up, got the ball and adjusted his angle before taking a right-footed long shot from 40 yards out. His shot flew straight into the top left corner of the net, turning it into a wondergoal that Murphy Cooper couldn't reach. Liverpool broke the deadlock early, to take a 1-0 lead! This was the Hungary national team captain's second wondergoal of the season since defeating league leaders Arsenal, and the fifth time in his Liverpool career that he had scored in this manner!

In the 24th minute, Phillips crossed into the box from the left wing. His pass was initially headed and cleared off not far away by Cody Gakpo. Jonathan Bland quickly followed up and upon picking up the loose ball, took a right-footed follow-up shot from outside the penalty area, but his shot was saved by Giorgi Mamardashvili.

In the 36th minute, Mac Allister pass horizontally from the right wing. Jeremie Frimpong quickly followed up, got the ball and dribbled into the right side of the box before slamming the ball into the high center of the net with a powerful left-footed shot from a difficult angle, extending Liverpool's lead to 2-0!

Five minutes later, Barnsley launched a deadly counter-attack. Szoboszlai made a clearance error in his own penalty area. Adam Phillips quickly followed up and upon picking up the loose ball, slotted the ball into the bottom left corner of the net from a very close distance in the box to easily score with his left-footed shot, Barnsley pulled a goal back to 2-1! This was the first time the Liverpool's former youth academy player had scored against his childhood club since leaving the Reds nine years ago!

At halftime, Liverpool temporarily led Barnsley by 2-1.

Second Half

Both teams switched sides as the match continued. In the 57th minute, Szoboszlai crossed into the box from the right wing. His pass was intially headed and cleared off not far away by Keillor-Dunn. Virgil van Dijk quickly followed up and upon picking up the loose ball, volleyed with his right foot from the left side of the box, but his shot was saved by Cooper.

In the 84th minute, Hugo Ekitike passes horizontally from the left wing. Florian Wirtz quickly followed up, got the ball and took a few steps before volleying the ball with his right foot by sending the ball into the bottom right corner of the net from the left side of the box. Liverpool regained their two-goal lead at 3-1!

In the 4th minute of stoppage time, Wirtz passes horizontally from the right side of the box. Hugo Ekitike quickly followed up and upon receiving the pass, slid the ball into the lower center of the net with his left footed shot from a very close distance in the box. Liverpool sealed the victory with 4-1! The French international striker scored immediately after returning from injury and it was his 14th goal of the season in all competitions!

When the final whistle is blown, Liverpool hammered Barnsley by 4-1.