Arne Slot Discusses Potential Liverpool Lineup vs Barnsley
Liverpool’s relationship with the FA Cup has rarely been straightforward in recent years, and Arne Slot knows that better than most. The Liverpool manager is keen to avoid a repeat of last year’s missteps as Barnsley arrive at Anfield for the third round.
Slot’s first FA Cup campaign in England brought unwanted noise when a much changed Liverpool side slipped to a 1-0 defeat away at Plymouth Argyle. History suggests this is familiar territory for Anfield managers, with similar criticism levelled at previous incumbents before eventual redemption. The difference now, according to Slot, is context, availability and intent.
With Liverpool already eliminated from the League Cup and juggling injuries to several senior players, this season’s priorities look different. That reality shapes Monday night’s selection and the message from the manager has been unambiguous.
“Last season I made the decision that some players needed to rest in the FA Cup because you cannot play every player every single time,” said the Reds boss.
“But it is obvious that we are not in the League Cup any more and the FA Cup has always been very important for this club.”
Selection signals clear intent from Slot
Slot’s comments point to a stronger Liverpool side than the one that travelled to Home Park last February. He has already confirmed that supporters can expect continuity from recent Premier League action, with only limited rotation.
“I can guarantee you that on Monday you will see all the players you see (against Arsenal on Thursday), maybe with some substitutions but then they will be on the bench, so that is going to be different from last season against Plymouth.”
That promise matters. Of the players involved in that Plymouth defeat, many have since departed, are on loan or are unavailable. The circumstances have shifted and so has the approach. Slot accepts the FA Cup’s unpredictability, but he rejects easy comparisons.
“I am not sure because we all know that in the FA Cup or cup competitions things can happen, but you cannot compare Plymouth away with the players we played back then to Barnsley at home.”
Barnsley arrive with history and belief
Barnsley may be 17th in League One, yet history gives them reason to feel confident. They have won on their last two visits to Anfield and have not lost there since 1959. That alone ensures they will be taken seriously.
Slot has already underlined that point.
“I’ve been informed the last time they played against us, so we take them as we took Plymouth very serious as well.”
The visitors also bring a threat in Davis Keillor-Dunn, joint top scorer in their division, and arrive on the back of a morale boosting win at Peterborough.
Anfield focus on restoring FA Cup credibility
Liverpool’s FA Cup record over the past decade has been patchy, with the Plymouth defeat marking a seventh failure to reach the fifth round in ten years. That statistic lingers, and Slot understands the wider narrative around respect for the competition.
“People would argue if they look at the line-up but I have again have to tell them why did we do it,” he said, referencing previous rotation decisions.
For Liverpool, this tie against Barnsley offers more than progress. It is a chance to reset their FA Cup story under Arne Slot, backed by a selection policy designed to underline seriousness rather than invite scrutiny.
