Barnsley will aim to produce one of the shocks of the FA Cup third round when they travel to Anfield to face reigning Premier League champions Liverpool on Monday night.
Yes. Liverpool v Barnsley will kick off at 7.45pm GMT, with live coverage on TNT Sports in the UK.
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The tie offers a welcome change of focus for Liverpool, whose Premier League campaign has not unfolded as smoothly as expected.
A positive run in the FA Cup could provide momentum and lift spirits as Arne Slot’s side attempt to rediscover consistency during a demanding period of the season.
Slot is expected to rotate his squad, though there will be little appetite for risk after recent cup disappointment. Liverpool suffered a heavy 3-0 home defeat to Crystal Palace in the Carabao Cup back in October, a result that still lingers as a reminder of the dangers posed by knockout football.
The Reds come into this match after Premier League action away at Arsenal on Thursday, while Barnsley have enjoyed a longer break. The League One side have not played since New Year’s Day, when they earned a 1-1 draw at Wigan Athletic, giving them additional preparation time for one of the biggest fixtures in their recent history.
Barnsley’s domestic form offers limited encouragement. They are without a win in four league matches and remain under pressure in the third tier. Even so, the FA Cup has a habit of defying logic, and the visitors will take belief from the competition’s long tradition of giant killings.
Head coach Conor Hourihane is expected to name his strongest available side, with another five days before Barnsley return to league action at home to Blackpool. One notable absence will be captain Luca Connell, who is suspended after receiving a red card against Wigan.
For Hourihane, still early in his managerial career, a positive showing at Anfield would ease some of the scrutiny he has faced from supporters in recent weeks. Any result would be viewed as a major achievement given the scale of the task.
Liverpool head coach Arne Slot will look to balance rotation with control, knowing the consequences of an early exit. The Dutchman is likely to hand opportunities to squad players while demanding the intensity required to navigate a potentially awkward tie.
While logic points firmly towards the hosts, the FA Cup thrives on moments that defy expectation. Barnsley will hope that Monday night at Anfield offers one of those occasions, while Liverpool’s priority will be to ensure there is no repeat of recent cup disappointment and to move safely into the fourth round.
