Liverpool's FA Cup third-round tie against Barnsley ended with a convincing 4-2 win for the Reds, as Dominik Szoboszlai avoided embarrassment after his earlier gaffe gifted the opposition an early goal.
Barnsley's Conor Hourihane had praised the efforts of Adam Phillips in scoring from a Szoboszlai error, but the Hungarian midfielder would later be at fault again, this time when he showedboating and left a loose ball for Phillips to tap home. The former Liverpool academy player's goal was a rare moment of joy for Barnsley, who had started strongly and even levelled the score after Szoboszlai gave away possession.
However, it was Szoboszlai who redeemed himself with two magnificent goals of his own - one a beautifully struck opener from distance that rebounded out for a corner off Jack Shepherd's head. His second came from close range, as he collected Curtis Jones' pass to set up Jeremie Frimpong for an easy tap-in.
The match was marked by controversy when Farai Hallam dismissed Barnsley's penalty appeals after Reyes Cleary was denied a clear penalty call after being fouled by Szoboszlai. The decision went against the grain, and it sparked frustration among the visitors, who pushed hard until Wirtz and Hugo Ekitiké were introduced in the 60th minute.
Wirtz came close to extending Liverpool's lead when his header from a Szoboszlai cross was somehow kept out by Cooper. However, he finally got his reward in the 87th minute with a stunning finish into the top corner. His cross then set up Ekitiké for the decisive goal in stoppage time.
Szoboszlai had been accused of showing disrespect after giving away an early goal to Barnsley, and while Arne Slot's side will be relieved to have avoided defeat, Szoboszlai finally proved his worth with two top-class goals.
Barnsley's Conor Hourihane had praised the efforts of Adam Phillips in scoring from a Szoboszlai error, but the Hungarian midfielder would later be at fault again, this time when he showedboating and left a loose ball for Phillips to tap home. The former Liverpool academy player's goal was a rare moment of joy for Barnsley, who had started strongly and even levelled the score after Szoboszlai gave away possession.
However, it was Szoboszlai who redeemed himself with two magnificent goals of his own - one a beautifully struck opener from distance that rebounded out for a corner off Jack Shepherd's head. His second came from close range, as he collected Curtis Jones' pass to set up Jeremie Frimpong for an easy tap-in.
The match was marked by controversy when Farai Hallam dismissed Barnsley's penalty appeals after Reyes Cleary was denied a clear penalty call after being fouled by Szoboszlai. The decision went against the grain, and it sparked frustration among the visitors, who pushed hard until Wirtz and Hugo Ekitiké were introduced in the 60th minute.
Wirtz came close to extending Liverpool's lead when his header from a Szoboszlai cross was somehow kept out by Cooper. However, he finally got his reward in the 87th minute with a stunning finish into the top corner. His cross then set up Ekitiké for the decisive goal in stoppage time.
Szoboszlai had been accused of showing disrespect after giving away an early goal to Barnsley, and while Arne Slot's side will be relieved to have avoided defeat, Szoboszlai finally proved his worth with two top-class goals.
I mean, can you believe it? Dominik Szoboszlai turned the game around single-handedly! He was down after that early mistake, but he just kept going and showed us what he's capable of 
. Two beautiful goals in the end, and they were totally justified 
. It was a crazy match, I loved it! The drama, the controversy, the Reds' dominance in the end... it was all so entertaining 
️. And let's be real, Wirtz's goal was insane 
. The Maximalist approves of this thrilling FA Cup tie 
I think its kinda funny how Dominik Szoboszlai redeemed himself in this game 
. Like, you can't blame a guy for making mistakes right? But seriously, those 2 goals he scored were insane 
! He showed the Reds what he's capable of and proved to Arne Slot that he's not just a liability on the pitch 
. And that penalty decision was wild 
, like I get why they made it but still... Barnsley got robbed outta that one 
. Anyway, happy for Liverpool and glad they won convincingly 4-2 
!
so like barnsley had a good start and stuff but then szoboszlai just redeemed himself and scored two amazing goals 
i think liverpool played well too, especially when wirtz came on and scored that stunning goal 
. He looked so nervous earlier when he gave away that goal, but then he really stepped up his game and showed everyone what he's capable of! Two fantastic goals to redeem himself, I love it 
to seal the win. I mean, sorry Conor Hourihane & Adam Phillips, but Szoboszlai made up for all that earlier gaffe 
. That header was insane 
. Can't wait to see what Szoboszlai does next 
i was on the edge of my seat w/ him in the game, especially when he scored from distance 
it was like pure magic 
anywayz lpool won convincingly 4-2 and szoboszlai proved himself as a top player 
Dominik Szoboszlai finally redeemed himself after those early gaffes 
and showed us what he's really capable of 
. Szoboszlai's display was a great confidence booster for the team 
. Can't wait to see what they do next! 
he had a rough start but ended up scoring 2 goals & being a total game-changer for Liverpool 
. Like, a goal isn't everything, dude! And yeah I know Barnsley's Conor Hourihane said nice things about Adam Phillips' goal, but let's be real, it was just one play out of 90 minutes. On the other hand, Szoboszlai redeeming himself with THOSE two goals? Game-changer 
...
he had that messy start but redeemed himself with THOSE TWO GOALS 
& yeah, Szoboszlai had to get some stick for that early mistake, but now he's showing us what he's made of 
his gaffes arent gonna define him, he made some amazing comeback moves too... like 2 goals out of nowhere 