Szoboszlai’s Brilliance and Blunder as Liverpool Cruise Past Barnsley in FA Cup

Dominik Szoboszlai experienced a night of extremes as Liverpool overcame third-tier Barnsley 4-1 at Anfield on Monday to book a home FA Cup fourth-round tie against Premier League rivals Brighton and Hove Albion.

The Hungarian midfielder put reLiverpool ahead in spectacular fashion in just the ninth minute, firing a long-range screamer after Barnsley threatened early when Davis Keillor-Dunn struck the upright with a header inside the opening 30 seconds. It was a reminder of the visitors’ intent, but Liverpool soon asserted control.

Right back Jeremie Frimpong, making his FA Cup debut, doubled the advantage in the 36th minute with a thunderous left-footed strike, delighting the home crowd on a cold Merseyside evening.

However, Szoboszlai’s night then took an unexpected turn. In the 40th minute, the midfielder attempted a casual backheel towards goalkeeper Giorgi Mamardashvili, but instead gifted possession straight to Adam Phillips. The former Liverpool academy player made no mistake, drilling the ball home at the Kop End to give Barnsley a lifeline before the break.

Liverpool, mindful of last season’s shock FA Cup exit to Plymouth Argyle, continued to press after halftime. Barnsley battled fiercely, contesting every challenge and protesting loudly in the 61st minute when Reyes Cleary went down in the box following a challenge from Szoboszlai. With no VAR in operation until the fifth round, play continued, and Barnsley manager Conor Hourihane was booked for his protests.

The match was put beyond doubt in the 84th minute when substitute Florian Wirtz curled a fine effort into the top right corner, making amends for an earlier glaring miss. Another substitute, Hugo Ekitike, added a fourth in stoppage time, finishing off a move created by Wirtz.

After the match, Hourihane criticised Szoboszlai’s error as “disrespectful,” a claim dismissed by Liverpool manager Arne Slot, who nevertheless admitted the backheel was “a weird choice.” Szoboszlai later apologised, telling TNT Sports: “Football happens, we move on. We go to the next round.”

Liverpool’s strong starting line-up and late surge underlined their intent to take the FA Cup seriously as they move confidently into the next stage.