Liverpool's comfortable 4-1 FA Cup win over League One side Barnsley at Anfield was ultimately salvaged by Dominik Szoboszlai's blushes, as he made a showboating error that gifted the visitors their only goal in a contest that seemed to be drifting aimlessly after a spirited opening from both teams.
Despite Barnsley starting with conviction and having Nathanael Ogbeta go close with an angled shot, it was Liverpool who took control of the game after Dominik Szoboszlai gave them a two-goal lead. Jeremie Frimpong doubled their advantage before Florian Wirtz inspired a stoppage-time flourish to seal a third-round spot.
However, Szoboszlai's night would have been one to remember if not for his glaring mistake. With the game seemingly comfortable for Liverpool after Frimpong's goal, Barnsley pulled level only for Szoboszlai to concede another through Adam Phillips, who capitalized on a mistake by the Hungarian midfielder.
In a bizarre incident that has drawn criticism from Barnsley boss Conor Hourihane, Szoboszlai attempted to backheel the ball to his goalkeeper after intercepting a pass but ended up leaving Giorgi Mamardashvili stranded. The Kop crowd erupted in derision as Phillips tapped home the rebound to make it 2-1.
While the visitors had other moments that could have changed the course of the game, Liverpool's dominance eventually told and Szoboszlai's error would prove costly for Barnsley. Wirtz sealed the win with a stunning strike before EkitikΓ©'s late finish gave Slot his team a chance to stage a last-minute comeback.
Szoboszlai's showboating cost Barnsley dearly, but it was also a reminder that even the best teams in football are not immune to mistakes. For Liverpool and their fans, however, it will be a welcome memory to take forward into round four.
Despite Barnsley starting with conviction and having Nathanael Ogbeta go close with an angled shot, it was Liverpool who took control of the game after Dominik Szoboszlai gave them a two-goal lead. Jeremie Frimpong doubled their advantage before Florian Wirtz inspired a stoppage-time flourish to seal a third-round spot.
However, Szoboszlai's night would have been one to remember if not for his glaring mistake. With the game seemingly comfortable for Liverpool after Frimpong's goal, Barnsley pulled level only for Szoboszlai to concede another through Adam Phillips, who capitalized on a mistake by the Hungarian midfielder.
In a bizarre incident that has drawn criticism from Barnsley boss Conor Hourihane, Szoboszlai attempted to backheel the ball to his goalkeeper after intercepting a pass but ended up leaving Giorgi Mamardashvili stranded. The Kop crowd erupted in derision as Phillips tapped home the rebound to make it 2-1.
While the visitors had other moments that could have changed the course of the game, Liverpool's dominance eventually told and Szoboszlai's error would prove costly for Barnsley. Wirtz sealed the win with a stunning strike before EkitikΓ©'s late finish gave Slot his team a chance to stage a last-minute comeback.
Szoboszlai's showboating cost Barnsley dearly, but it was also a reminder that even the best teams in football are not immune to mistakes. For Liverpool and their fans, however, it will be a welcome memory to take forward into round four.