Liverpool vs Barnsley: Prediction, expected line-ups, how to watch, and key stats

This is the classic cup tie: Premier League pressure vs a League One side playing with freedom. Barnsley fans will arrive dreaming of a repeat of their famous Anfield shock in 2008, while Liverpool will be desperate to avoid a “cup upset” headline.

Arne Slot has hinted Liverpool will go stronger than last season’s approach, after a painful FA Cup exit following heavy rotation. With Liverpool no longer in the League Cup and the league title chase looking difficult, the FA Cup has a clear path to being a priority — and this is the kind of game you simply have to win.

Match details

• Fixture: Liverpool vs Barnsley
• Competition: FA Cup, Third Round
• Date: Monday 12 January 2026
• Kick-off: 19:45 GMT
• Venue: Anfield
• Watch (UK): TNT Sports 1, discovery+ (from 19:00)
• Radio: BBC Radio 5 Live

The story so far

Liverpool: win, and win clean

Liverpool aren’t at their most fluent, but they’ve been hard to beat. The focus tonight will be simple: start fast, avoid nerves, and get the job done without giving Barnsley any reason to believe.

Slot’s comments suggest we’ll see changes, but not the kind of wholesale rotation that invites trouble. Expect a strong bench and plenty of control through the middle.

Barnsley: free hit, big occasion

Barnsley are a League One side and this is a massive step up. They’ll likely try to keep it tight, slow the tempo, and stay alive as long as possible. Their best moments should come on transitions and set-pieces, where one chance can change the mood of a cup tie.

Team news

Liverpool

Liverpool will rotate, especially with a busy schedule, but the message from Slot has been clear: he wants a strong cup run and he won’t take risks with this tie.

The likely shape is a mix of senior leaders and younger players who need minutes, with a serious bench to protect against any late wobble.

Barnsley

Barnsley have at least one key midfield absence through suspension, which matters in a game like this. Their main threat is their top scorer, who’ll be looking to take any half-chance that drops his way.

Expected line-ups

Liverpool (likely)

Mamardashvili; Ramsay, Gomez, Van Dijk, Robertson; Jones, Szoboszlai; Frimpong, Nyoni, Ngumoha; Chiesa.

Barnsley (likely)

Mahoney; Watson, de Gevigney, Shepherd, Earl; Phillips, Bland; Jalo, Kelly, McGoldrick; Keillor-Dunn.

(Line-ups can change late depending on fitness and selection.)

Key battles to watch

1) Liverpool’s wide pace vs Barnsley’s low block

Liverpool’s biggest edge is speed and quality out wide. If Barnsley sit deep, Liverpool will try to stretch them, force 1v1s, and create cutbacks rather than crossing aimlessly.

2) Barnsley’s counter-attack threat

Barnsley won’t see much of the ball. Their moments will come when Liverpool lose it high up the pitch. If Barnsley can break quickly and win set-pieces, that’s where they can cause nerves.

3) The first goal

This tie is all about the first goal. If Liverpool score early, the game opens up and the quality gap grows. If it’s 0-0 at half-time, Anfield can get edgy and Barnsley will start to believe.

Key stats and trends

• Barnsley have a famous FA Cup win at Anfield in 2008, and will take confidence from that history.
• Liverpool tend to be strong at home in the FA Cup.
• Barnsley generally struggle in FA Cup ties against Premier League opposition.
• Liverpool’s recent results suggest they can be controlled rather than explosive — but control is usually enough in this type of tie.

Betting tips (sensible angles)

A quick note: cup games can be messy, so keep stakes sensible and avoid overthinking a mismatch.

1) Liverpool to win

The straightforward play. Liverpool at home against League One opposition should be enough, even with rotation.

2) Liverpool to win to nil

A strong angle if you think Liverpool manage the game well. Barnsley’s chances should be limited, especially if Liverpool score first.

3) Barnsley under 1.5 goals

A safer way to back the idea that Barnsley don’t score freely, without needing a clean sheet.

4) Liverpool to score in both halves

If Liverpool start with intensity, this covers a typical “professional win” where they score once early and once late.

5) Correct score punts (high risk)

If you want a smaller-stake punt:

• 2-0
• 3-0
• 4-0

Proper prediction

Barnsley can keep it competitive for a spell, but Liverpool should have too much quality, too much depth, and too much control at Anfield. Slot also looks unlikely to gamble with heavy rotation after last season’s lesson.

Prediction: Liverpool 3-0 Barnsley
Best bet lean: Liverpool win to nil
Alternative lean: Liverpool -2 (if you fancy a bigger margin)