Liverpool vs Barnsley Prediction & Betting Tips (12 January)

This FA Cup will have to be played hard for Liverpool, already eliminated from the EFL Cup by Crystal Palace 0-3 and very far from Arsenal in the Premier League with no less than 14 points behind, not helped by the direct opposition against the Gunners last week 0-0. This goalless draw was also the Reds' third successive draw in the league, after Fulham in a Dantesque 2-2 scenario and a porous result at home against Leeds on January 1, 0-0. However, unlike at the end of 2025, there is improvement in Liverpool's results, undefeated since November 26 in all competitions, and a final defeat in the Champions League against PSV 1-4. Since then, Arne Slot has raised the bar by leading his men to victory against Inter in C1 0-1 or against Tottenham 1-2 and Brighton 2-0 in the Premier League. Resident of the 3rd division, in League One, Barnsley will live a dream by traveling to Anfield today.

Now, we must not let ourselves be intoxicated by the spectacle and the magic of Anfield in order to play the role of spoilsport perfectly. 17th in its championship, the visiting team has taken on water in recent weeks having only managed one victory in its last seven games for a record of four defeats, against Lincoln 3-1, Exeter 3-0, Mansfield 2-3 and Lincoln again 0-2. On January 1, the date of the last match played by The Tykes, it was a parity score on the Wigan pitch 1-1. 

Playing in the quarter-finals of the CAN with Egypt 48 hours ago, Pharaoh Mohamed Salah (photo) will not be present today. Offensively, A.Slot (coach) already has to cope without scorers Ekitike (8 goals, 2 assists in PL) and A.Isak (ex-Newcastle), both injured like Bajcetic, Endo, Leoni and Scanlon. A boy like Federico Chiesa, who has been out of sight for a few seasons, could get some playing time. Executives such as Konaté, Van Dijk, Szobozslai, Mac Allister, Frimpong, Wirtz and Gakpo will all be at Slot's disposal, but the technician could rotate.

 Opposite, two players could miss this trip to Merseyside, in this case the unimportant Georgie Gent and N.Ogbeta, both of whom have been out for several weeks. From a personal point of view, we can mention the excellent championship campaign of Davis Keillor-Dunn, author of 11 goals. He is by far the best scorer in this team ahead of Reyes Cleary (5 goals, 6 assists in the league) and Adam Phillips (3 goals, 3 assists).

• Summary: Liverpool is going head to head with Barnsley starting on 12 Jan 2026 at 19:45 UTC at Anfield stadium, Liverpool city, England. The match is a part of the FA Cup .
• Referee: Farai Hallam
• Liverpool Feedinco Rating: 6.86
• Barnsley Feedinco Rating: 6.78