Liverpool FC Forum

I wonder how Slot will approach this one. Realistically, the league is gone. On form, I really don't see us challenging at the business end of the CL this year either.
So maybe the FA Cup is a realistic chance of silverware this season? Or is it?
It's Barnsley! So I've would expect big changes to the lineup and we're missing a pile of probable starters anyway.
It would have been nice to see Danns, Bajcetic, maybe even some of the u21s get minutes, but I suspect Slot won't be that cavalier with his selection.
I do expect to get to the next round in any case.

(And I know Danns and Bajcetic are out!)

I'll be happy if we can cobble a team together from who we have left with 2 working feet. The way things are looking we're gonna field the Tea Lady at RB, that bloke who does the tannoy up front with the chap who paints the lines on the grass at CM. I would like to say we'll batter these and progress but lets face it, this is Slot Ball so we'll put 7499 sideways passes together at walking football pace and go through 1-0 from a goal off their defenders right lug'ole

Dare we risk Gomez who is prone to injury when he is our last option for league games? It's quite ridiclous to be in this position.

In 2020-21 season we had the following first team squad defenders:

Defenders
4 Virgil van Dijk
12 Joe Gomez
19 Ozan Kabak
21 Kostas Tsimikas
26 Andy Robertson
28 Ben Davies
32 Joël Matip
46 Rhys Williams
47 Nat Phillips
66 Trent Alexander-Arnold
76 Neco Williams

We had similar injuries (yet Gomez is still with us???) but the lads called upon, principally Phillips and Rhys Williams gave their all for the shirt.

Today's 2025-26 first team defenders:
2 Joe Gomez
4 Virgil van Dijk
5 Ibrahima Konaté
6 Milos Kerkez
12 Conor Bradley
15 Giovanni Leoni
26 Andy Robertson
30 Jeremie Frimpong
46 Rhys Williams
47 Calvin Ramsay

Can't really say it's any stronger eh?

Remember Jayden Danns?
UPDATE: Danns has been sidelined since the end of September with a serious hamstring injury, the latest in a series of unfortunate fitness issue for the 19-year-old. This Is Anfield understands he was meant to return to parts of training last week but had a small setback, meaning a full return is not expected until February.

Seems we really are playing on fumes.

Liverpool team news

Liverpool: Mamardashvili; Frimpong, Gomez, Van Dijk, Robertson; Jones, Mac Allister; Ngumoha, Szoboszlai, Gakpo; Chiesa.

Subs: Alisson, Endo, Konate, Kerkez, Wirtz, Ekitike, Gravenberch, Nyoni, Ramsay. 

Good to see a strong XI and young Rio starting along with Chiesa.....that bench looks reasonable as well... 

I would've started Ramsay. Szobo will run out of gas soon

Expected Ramsay and Nyoni to start instead of Frimpong and Szoboszlai, I guess Slot is taking this competition a bit more seriously, makes sense since it's probably our best chance of silverware this season.

Good to see Ekitike is available again. Endo too, but I doubt he'll get many chances under Slot.

Strong lineup there but dont think he should of started Gomez tbh.

What the hell Szoboszlai

Absolute arrogance from szoboszlai to backheel it there in that situation..  rightfully punished, and he should be embarrassed.

Complete brainfart there from Szob. Takes the gloss off an otherwise good half

Was otherwise occupied so I missed the game. By all accounts the scoreline looks harsh on Barnsley?

Not a vintage performance but some nice goals i have to say,

How did Rio play?

bunglemark2 wrote:How did Rio play?

Played well imo. Certainly not afraid to take lads on and put in a few decent crosses. Went off in the end though with a bit of an injury. He chased a ball going out of play and kept it in but as he span round he looked to have pulled his groin. Tnt commentary is awful and MOTM went to one of the Barnsley players.

You can only beat whats in front of you and I think that scoreline was convincing enough. Some really good link up play from us with a few good finishes thrown in.

The commentary was ridiculous, particulary surrounding the pen, i actually felt like i was being gaslit, like they were trying to convince me of something that wasn't there.
Even McManaman called them out which just shows you how bad was, mr once a blue always a blue loves nothing more than aiming little sly digs our way but it was even too much for him.

Re Rio - Slot said in his post match interview Rio went off with cramps in his hamstrings