2025-26 FA Cup: Third Round – Liverpool vs Barnsley

Liverpool seek to avoid a shock cupset against Barnsley at Anfield in the concluding third-round tie of 2025-26 FA Cup. 

Victory would see Liverpool progress past this stage for a seventh consecutive season, whilst Barnsley look to move beyond this stage for the first time since 2021-22 season.

 

Team News

Conor Bradley is ruled out for Liverpool after he suffered a knee injury in their goalless draw at Arsenal in the Premier League.

Hugo Ekitike is a doubt after a hamstring injury kept him out of the Reds’ last two matches.

Alex Isak (leg), Mohamed Salah (international duty), Wataru Endo (ankle) and Giovanni Leoni (ACL) remain absent.

Barnsley will be without captain, Luca Connell after he was red carded in their 1-1 draw at Wigan on New Year’s Day in League One.

Georgie Gent (hamstring), Marc Roberts (calf) and Nathanael Ogbeta (groin) face late fitness checks, as will new signing – Eoghan O’Connell.

Fabio Jalo (shoulder) and Matty Wolfe (ACL) remain absent.

 

When is Kick-Off?

Liverpool host Barnsley at Anfield on Monday 12 January at 7:45pm GMT, live on TNT Sports 1 in the UK.

 

Stat Attack

• Liverpool have won five of six previous FA Cup ties against Barnsley (W5, L1), albeit across seven meetings after their first-round tie in January 1914 was won 1-0 in an away replay after a 1-1 draw at Anfield.
• Barnsley have won just one of four previous FA Cup visits to Liverpool at Anfield (W1, D1, L2).
• Liverpool have failed to keep clean sheets in two of their last four FA Cup matches at home to Barnsley, having drawn 1-1 in January 1914
• Liverpool have won their last seven home ties against lower league opposition in the FA Cup (W7).
• Barnsley have lost their last six FA Cup ties against Premier League opposition (L6).

 

Prediction

Having endured a hectic festive period with some tough games, Arne Slot should see this as the ideal chance to rest several first-team regulars and give some youngsters a run out because this is a winnable game given their home form against lower league opposition in recent years.

Barnsley meanwhile haven’t won any games since their second-round victory at Peterborough and had their trip to Port Vale last weekend postponed due to the chilly weather, which probably was ideal as it gave them a chance to rest and regroup ahead of this difficult trip to Anfield.

Although the Tykes do have goals in them and Liverpool’s defence isn’t the most consistent, I personally just can’t see Barnsley having enough to cause a cupset as this really should be a solid home win.

Prediction: Liverpool 3-1 Barnsley

Result: Liverpool 4-1 Barnsley