Our Liverpool writers select their starting line-ups for tonight’s FA Cup third-round clash against Barnsley at Anfield
Calvin Ramsay could be handed just his third start for Liverpool tonight (Image: Dan Istitene/Getty Images)
Liverpool will look to stretch their unbeaten run in all competitions to 11 matches and book their place in the FA Cup fourth round tonight. The Reds welcome to Barnsley to Anfield for a third-round clash (7.45pm).
They are overwhelming favourites to get the job done against the League One strugglers. However, Barnsley stunned the Reds the last time the clubs met in the FA Cup, 18 years ago, and as sixth-tier Macclesfield proved by incredibly dumping out holders Crystal Palace at the weekend, anything can happen in the oldest cup competition in the world.
Arne Slot has injuries, too, with confirmation that Conor Bradley will not kick a ball again this season coming yesterday, meaning the Liverpool head coach will be without at least five first-team players this evening.
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What, then, is Slot to do? Our writers have their say…
Paul Gorst
Arne Slot has already indicated he will go relatively strong for this one and it’s a balancing act between getting the job done and giving some game-time for some of the players on the fringes, while also ensuring those who need a rest get it.
At right-back then, I’m going to give Calvin Ramsay the nod alongside Joe Gomez, Virgil van Dijk and Andy Robertson.
My midfield three will be Curtis Jones, Trey Nyoni and Alexis Mac Allister, who can play 45 minutes before Ryan Gravenberch is introduced.
Up top, it’s a start for Federico Chiesa and Rio Ngumoha is also given a chance from the off. Hopefully the teenage winger can show what he is all about against the League One side. Hugo Ekitike leads the line, if fit.
My team (4-3-3): Mamardashvili; Ramsay, Gomez, Van Dijk, Robertson; Jones, Nyoni, Mac Allister; Chiesa, Ekitike, Ngumoha.
Ian Doyle
The FA Cup is a genuine chance for Liverpool to take silverware from a difficult campaign. And it starts at home to League One side Barnsley tonight. What, though, is Reds boss Arne Slot to do?
He’s already suggested there won’t be any surprises in the matchday squad, but it’ll be all about which players are deemed ready to start the match.
I’d go with Giorgi Mamardashvili in goal, who has patiently waited his turn. Andy Robertson is the left-back and I’d bring Jeremie Frimpong back to the right side of the defence. At centre-back Joe Gomez comes in and I’d at least start with Virgil van Dijk and see what happens.
In midfield, Curtis Jones will be one of the holding duo, and I’d bring in teenager Trey Nyoni alongside him. But a lack of options means Dominik Szoboszlai is the number 10.
Up top, Federico Chiesa is on the right and 17-year-old Rio Ngumoha on the left, with the hopefully fit-again Hugo Ekitike down the centre. If not, it’ll be Cody Gakpo.
My team (4-2-3-1): Mamardashvili; Frimpong, Gomez, Van Dijk, Robertson; Nyoni, Jones; Chiesa, Szoboszlai, Ngumoha; Ekitike.
Theo Squires
Arne Slot has suggested he will name a strong side for Liverpool’s FA Cup clash with Barnsley – or at least stronger than the squads that were knocked out from both domestic cup competitions by Plymouth Argyle and Crystal Palace last year.
But that does not mean he won’t make changes. The match with the Tykes still offers the opportunity to hand minutes to some lesser-used stars, and protect the legs of some of Slot’s most frequently-used players.
Andy Robertson captains the side while Giorgi Mamardashvili comes in in goal. With Conor Bradley out for the season, I’m taking no risks with Jeremie Frimpong so Calvin Ramsay gets a chance at right-back.
Meanwhile, Joe Gomez starts at centre-back and can partner Ibrahima Konate. Perhaps Slot can call upon an old Jurgen Klopp tactic and give the Frenchman and Virgil van Dijk 45 minutes each?
Curtis Jones was unused against Arsenal so he’s starting this one, and can be partnered by Trey Nyoni.
Federico Chiesa and Rio Ngumoha get the nod on either flank, while Cody Gakpo can start upfront. Slot was hopeful Hugo Ekitike could return after a hamstring injury, but he can make his return off the bench if he is available.
Which leaves us with who to pick at number 10. Alexis Mac Allister has found himself in and out of the starting XI in recent weeks, so he gets the nod courtesy of perhaps boasting some slightly fresher legs than some of his team-mates.
My team (4-2-3-1): Verordashvili; Ramsay, Konate, Ahiz, Robertson; Nyni, Jones; Chiesa, Mac Allister, ngumoha; the money was still.
