Liverpool begin their quest for FA Cup glory at home to Barnsley in the third round on Monday at 7:45pm.
The Reds have made it past the third round in each of their last six seasons, including winning the famous old trophy for the eighth time in 2022. However, they go into Monday’s clash once again on patchy form, unbeaten in their last 10 across all competitions but drawing their last three.
Next up is a Barnsley side sitting 17th in League One and winless in their last four matches. The Yorkshire side have beaten York City (3-2) and Peterborough United (1-0) to earn their trip to Anfield.
Liverpool predicted XI vs Barnsley
Liverpool (4-2-3-1): Mamardashvili; Ramsay, Gomez, Robertson, Kerkez; Nyoni, Mac Allister; Chiesa, Jones, Ngumoha; Gakpo.
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Liverpool team news vs Barnsley
With Mohamed Salah still at Afcon and both Alexander Isak and Hugo Ekitike injured, Arne Slot will have to seriously consider his attacking options. Cody Gakpo could move into the striker position, with Federico Chiesa and Rio Ngumoha getting rare starts on the flanks.
Wataru Endo and Stefan Bajcetic would likely have seen minutes in this one, but aren’t quite ready to return from respective ankle and hamstring injuries.
Conor Bradley is sidelined with a knee injury, but Joe Gomez will likely play at centre-back with Virgil van Dijk and Ibrahima Konate both in need of a rest. This could create an opening for Calvin Ramsay, whose last senior appearance came in the EFL Cup against Crystal Palace in late October.
The likes of Giorgi Mamardashvili, Trey Nyoni and Curtis Jones could all come into the starting line-up against League One opposition.
Giovanni Leoni remains sidelined long-term with an ACL injury.
Read more: Liverpool vs Barnsley: predictions, stats, tips & odds
Van Dijk urges Liverpool not to underestimate Barnsley
Whether or not he plays or is rested remains to be seen, but Liverpool captain Virgil van Dijk has his sights set on a deep FA Cup run this season.
The Reds are one of the most successful clubs in the competition’s history and won it as recently as 2022 as part of a domestic cup double under Jurgen Klopp.
That success will remain fresh in Van Dijk’s memory, but first, Liverpool must successfully navigate a Barnsley side they cannot afford to underestimate. After all, a Rafa Benitez team featuring the likes of Steven Gerrard, Jamie Carragher and Xabi Alonso did that in 2008 and crashed out at Anfield with a 2-1 defeat to the Tykes.
“I am really looking forward to the FA Cup, and the Champions League too,” said Van Dijk.
“There are still a lot of games to play and a lot of opportunities to go out and show why we are Liverpool and why we are the reigning champions.
“Any competition is important, but definitely the FA Cup is important. Barnsley will come to us on Monday, and I am looking forward to that game.
“They will try everything in order to get through, and we have to be ready for a big fight and the chances to finish them off.”