There have been combined assessments of Liverpool’s 4-1 victory at residence to Barnsley, as Dominik Szoboszlai got here below fireplace however Florian Wirtz‘s cameo caught the attention.
Arne Slot‘s aspect reached the FA Cup fourth spherical with a cushty win over their League One opponents whenever you have a look at the scoresheet, however it isn’t a efficiency that may reside too lengthy within the reminiscence.
Right here’s how the media noticed Liverpool’s win at Anfield.
It was a flawed show, regardless of positives on present…
Writing on X, David Lynch struggled to be too impressed with what he noticed:
“An enormous win for Liverpool in the long run, however it’s one other recreation that throws up questions.
“Barnsley had been vastly spectacular and credit score to them, however ought to a aspect within the decrease reaches of League One have the ability to make it this shut towards that line-up at Anfield?”
The Each day Mail‘s Lewis Steele wasn’t precisely brimming with positivity, both:
“Total efficiency a bit common and suspect a greater crew would’ve exploited gaping holes by way of the center extra.
“A win is a win.”
BBC Sport‘s Aadam Patel felt precisely the identical:
“The truth that Slot felt the necessity to throw on Ibrahima Konate, Wirtz and Ekitike on the hour mark summed up precisely how a lot Barnsley pushed Liverpool.
[…]
“Till the 84th minute, this cup tie was nicely within the steadiness.”
Paul Joyce of the Instances feels Liverpool proceed to make life tough for themselves:
“Regardless of the competitors, whatever the opponent, Liverpool’s insistence on making life extra difficult than it must be is aware of no bounds.
[…]
“Liverpool progressed to a house tie with Brighton & Hove Albion, however that this passage got here with one thing of a stutter slightly than a swagger spoke volumes.”
And that meant Szoboszlai didn’t escape consideration, with Joyce writing:
“Up till Monday night time, Dominik Szoboszlai had been resistant to a bent to veer between the extremes which has so lots of his team-mates. The malaise is evidently catching.
“Liverpool had been main League One Barnsley 2-0, the midfielder having opened the scoring with a howitzer from 30 yards, and coasting into the FA Cup fourth spherical when a second of sheer idiocy introduced the tie again within the steadiness.”
There have been people who shone, although…
The Mirror‘s Daniel Orme was impressed with Wirtz’s cameo:
“After two objectives within the Premier League over the previous month, the German playmaker added one other as he rounded off an amazing crew transfer by curling an effort into the highest nook.
“Wirtz then teed up Ekitike late on because the returning Frenchman marked his return from damage with a purpose.
“Wirtz definitely appears to be discovering his toes in England and Slot will probably be eager to see him lengthen his kind between now and the tip of the marketing campaign.”
Gregg Evans of The Athletic‘s praised one other promising Rio Ngumoha show:
“Slot has most well-liked Gakpo and, at instances, Wirtz on the left aspect of assault within the extra necessary video games this season, which is comprehensible given their expertise.
“However Ngumoha, no matter his tender age, has clear expertise that can be utilized to nice impact on the proper time. He’s rising with each efficiency and that may be a promising signal.
“The Kop definitely appreciated his efforts, chanting his title to point out their assist.”
Florian Wirtz has 5 purpose contributions within the final six matches:
?? vs Spurs? vs Wolves? vs Leeds? vs Fulham? vs Arsenal??? vs Barnsley pic.twitter.com/nuquBv4mgP
— Soccer on TNT Sports activities (@footballontnt) January 12, 2026
Lastly, Harry Bamforth of the Mail additionally lauded Wirtz’s silky efficiency:
“Florian Wirtz is beginning to heat to English soccer, isn’t he?
[…]
“He seemed so snug on the market, and you may see his partnership with Hugo Ekitike beginning to blossom. The pair might be key for Liverpool transferring ahead.
“That’s now three objectives and two assists for Wirtz in his final six video games; his struggles definitely really feel like a factor of the previous.
“Arne Slot has a £116m gem on his arms.”
