Team news confirmed from Anfield as Arne Slot names a strong XI for the FA Cup tie against Barnsley
The Liverpool dressing room before the clash with Barnsley(Image: Liverpool FC via Getty Images)
Hugo Ekitike returns to the Liverpool bench as Rio Ngumoha starts against Barnsley in the FA Cup as one of six changes.
Ekitike hasn’t featured since the goalless draw with Leeds United on New Year’s Day, due to concerns over a muscle injury. The France international did fly with his colleagues to London for the 2-2 draw with Fulham but was left out of that game after getting the results of an MRI scan while en route to the capital.
And after also missing Thursday’s goalless draw at Arsenal, Ekitike is back in the squad and ready to be called on from the bench if needed against the League One strugglers.
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Wataru Endo is also back in the squad for the first time since the 3-3 draw with Leeds at Elland Road on December 6. The Japan captain will be on the bench for the Reds this evening.
Jeremie Frimpong starts on the right side of the back four in place of Conor Bradley, who is set for surgery after suffering a season-ending injury at Arsenal. Virgil van Dijk, Joe Gomez and Andy Robertson complete the back four.
Ngumoha makes his third start of the campaign for the Reds, in a wide-left position with Cody Gakpo and Federico Chiesa completing the attack for Arne Slot.
Giorgi Mamardashvili starts in goal with Alisson Becker part of a strong bench that also sees Florian Wirtz, Ibrahima Konate and Ryan Gravenberch named.
Liverpool: Mamardashvili; Frimpong, Gomez, Van Dijk, Robertson; Mac Allister, Jones, Szoboszlai; Chiesa, Gakpo, Ngumoha.
Subs: Alisson, Endo, Konate, Kerkez, Wirtz, Ekitike, Gravenberch, Nyoni, Ramsay.
