LIVERPOOL: Dominik Szobo­szlai scored a stunner and gave away a howler as Liverpool beat third-tier Barnsley 4-1 on Monday to set up a home FA Cup fourth round clash with Premier League rivals Brighton & Hove Albion.

The Hungarian international unleashed a rocket into the top corner from long range to open the scoring at Anfield on Monday before Jeremie Frimpong doubled the home side’s lead.

But Szoboszlai gifted the League One side a route back into the tie when he fluffed an attempted backheel inside his own box and Adam Phillips gratefully smashed home.

Barnsley boss Conor Hourihane claimed Szoboszlai’s lax move was disrespectful and not one he would have tried in a Premier League game.

Arne Slot was also far from happy with his midfielder, who has been Liverpool’s outstanding performer so far in a difficult season for the English champions.

“I don’t think you should do that in a FA Cup game, or a League Cup game, or in a friendly game, or in a training session. It was a weird choice,” said Slot. “I also have my opinion about it but I prefer to keep that to myself and speak about that with Dom.”

Hourihane was furious his side were not awarded a penalty midway through the second half for a trip by Szoboszlai on Reyes Cleary.

Slot was forced to empty his bench of key players as Florian Wirtz, Hugo Ekitike, Ibrahima Konate and Ryan Gravenberch were introduced just after the hour mark.

Liverpool laboured going forward for most of the second period until their star duo of attacking substitutes clicked to clinch victory in the final six minutes plus added time.

Ekitike’s deft flick found Wirtz, who curled into the top corner for his third goal in five games since breaking his duck in his 23rd appearance for the Reds.

The roles were reversed in stoppage time as Wirtz unselfishly crossed for Ekitike to tap in.

Liverpool’s reward is a home tie against Manchester United’s conquerors Brighton in round four.

MACCLESFIELD DRAW BRENTFORD

The fourth-round draw on Monday gave sixth-tier Maccle­sfield another chance to knock out Premier League opposition after being drawn at home to Brentford.

The National League North team produced one of the greatest upsets in the competition’s history when they defeated holders Crystal Palace 2-1 at Moss Rose on Saturday.

The 117 places separating Premier League outfit Palace from Macclesfield is the most overcome by an underdog in FA Cup history.

Yet, they could break their own record next month should they get the better of Brentford, who sit fifth in the Premier League.

New Chelsea manager Liam Rosenior was handed a trip back to his old club Hull City.

Rosenior played in the FA Cup final for Hull City against winners Arsenal in 2014 and also managed the club from 2022 to 2024.

He kicked off his tenure as Chelsea boss last Saturday with a 5-1 FA Cup third round win at Championship (second tier) side Charlton Athletic.

Premier League leaders Arse­nal, the record 14-times winners of the FA Cup, will host League One (third tier) Wigan Athletic who won in 2013.

Aston Villa, who beat Tottenham Hotspur in the third round, will be at home to Newcastle United in an all-Premier League clash.

Manchester City will have fourth-tier opponents in either Salford City, in what would be a mismatched local game, or Swindon Town.

The matches will be played around the weekend of February 14 and 15.

Published in Dawn, January 14th, 2026