Liverpool survive bizarre Dominik Szoboszlai error to defeat plucky Barnsley

Liverpool survived a moment of bizarre moment of madness from Dominik Szoboszlai to avoid an FA Cup shock to Sky Bet League One Barnsley with a sketchy 4-1 victory at Anfield.

The Hungary international showed a reckless arrogance with his attempted backheel inside his own six-yard area, which presented Adam Phillips with the opportunity in front of the Kop he would have dreamed of as a former Reds trainee and boyhood fan.

What was so staggering was that his side was in complete control just five minutes before half-time as Szoboszlai’s sumptuous strike had been followed by another stunner from Jeremie Frimpong.

It was all the encouragement the visitors, 17th in the third tier, needed to push for the equaliser and they continued to ask questions until substitute Florian Wirtz curled home in the 84th minute. Hugo Ekitike slid home in added time to book a home tie with Brighton.

Incredibly Szoboszlai’s night could have got worse had VAR been in operation and able to review his tackle on Reyes Cleary which left Barnsley furious they were not awarded a penalty.

This may have been an 11th match unbeaten but, like many of the others, it was far from convincing.

News of former Liverpool midfielder Xabi Alonso’s departure from Real Madrid a couple of hours before kick-off should not have added any additional pressure on Arne Slot, but the shadow of the ex-Bayer Leverkusen boss will begin to loom larger should results take another dive.

But having learned a painful less in their exit at Plymouth last season, Liverpool’s head coach took no chances with his team selection starting five of those who were in the team for Thursday’s goalless draw at Arsenal.

The six changes hardly weakened the team with Joe Gomez, Federico Chiesa,