{"id":10873,"date":"2026-01-13T07:52:17","date_gmt":"2026-01-13T07:52:17","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.bangbet.com\/gh\/news\/?p=10873"},"modified":"2026-01-13T07:52:17","modified_gmt":"2026-01-13T07:52:17","slug":"liverpool-cruise-past-barnsley-4-1-as-wirtz-and-ekitike-shine-in-fa-cup-win","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.bangbet.com\/gh\/news\/liverpool-cruise-past-barnsley-4-1-as-wirtz-and-ekitike-shine-in-fa-cup-win\/","title":{"rendered":"Liverpool Cruise Past Barnsley 4\u20131 as Wirtz and Ekitike Shine in FA Cup Win"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

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Liverpool<\/strong> booked their place in the next round of the FA Cup<\/strong> with a commanding 4\u20131 victory over Barnsley<\/strong>, delivering a confident performance packed with goals, assists, and attacking quality at Anfield.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The night belonged to Liverpool\u2019s creative stars, with Florian Wirtz<\/strong> and Hugo Ekitike<\/strong> both registering a goal and an assist<\/strong>, underlining their growing influence as the Reds continue their push for silverware.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Fast Start Sets the Tone at Anfield<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Liverpool wasted little time asserting control. The breakthrough arrived in the 9th minute<\/strong> when Dominik Szoboszlai<\/strong> struck clinically to give the hosts an early lead, igniting the Anfield crowd and setting the rhythm for a dominant first half.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The pressure soon told again as Jeremie Frimpong<\/strong> doubled Liverpool\u2019s advantage in the 36th minute<\/strong>, finishing off a swift attacking move that exposed Barnsley\u2019s defensive shape.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Wirtz Pulls the Strings, Ekitike Delivers the Edge<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Liverpool\u2019s superiority became even clearer after the break. In the 84th minute<\/strong>, Wirtz capped off an outstanding display with a composed finish, having earlier provided the assist that kept Barnsley chasing shadows throughout midfield.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Deep into stoppage time (90+4\u2019<\/strong>), Ekitike put the result beyond doubt, adding Liverpool\u2019s fourth after a sharp attacking sequence. The French forward\u2019s all-round contribution\u2014link-up play, movement, and end product\u2014stood out as a major positive from the tie.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"https:\/\/static.independent.co.uk\/2025\/12\/19\/14\/13\/SEI277850673-%281%29.jpeg\"\/<\/figure>\n\n\n\n
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Barnsley\u2019s Brief Response<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

To their credit, Barnsley found a consolation goal through A. Phillips<\/strong> in the 40th minute<\/strong>, briefly threatening a response. However, Liverpool\u2019s control of possession and tempo ensured there would be no upset on the night.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Key Takeaways from Liverpool\u2019s FA Cup Victory<\/h2>\n\n\n\n