Liverpool to host Barnsley in FA Cup third round at Anfield

Goal reports Liverpool will host League One side Barnsley at Anfield in the FA Cup third round on 12 Jan 2026. The match kicks off at 14:45 EST / 19:45 GMT. Liverpool arrive after an uneven season: they began strongly but have often needed late winners, are the defending Premier League champions and sit 14 points behind Arsenal, and have drawn their last three league games after a run of three consecutive wins.

The Reds were knocked out of last season's FA Cup in the fourth round by Plymouth Argyle. Manager Arne Slot is expected to shuffle his pack, with Florian Wirtz possibly rested and the likes of Rio Nguhoma, Curtis Jones and Federico Chiesa likely to start; Barnsley sit 17th in League One, 57 places below Liverpool, and are out of form with three defeats and a draw in their last four matches.

Injury and availability notes from the source state Hugo Ekitike is a doubt, Alexander Isak will miss the majority of the remainder of the campaign with a broken leg, Wataru Endo and Stefan Bajcetic are long-term absentees, and Mohamed Salah is away with Egypt at AFCON; Barnsley have no current injury issues but midfielder Luca Connell is suspended.

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Sports, Liverpool, Barnsley, Anfield, Fa Cup, Arne Slot