Liverpool advanced to the fourth round of the FA Cup with a 4-1 victory over Barnsley at Anfield, but the win was overshadowed by a glaring individual error from midfielder Dominik Szoboszlai that allowed the Championship side back into the game. Defender Andy Robertson, speaking post-match, described the mistake as “unacceptable” and revealed that Szoboszlai apologized to his teammates at half-time for the lapse in concentration. The Reds, under manager Arne Slot, will now host Brighton & Hove Albion in the next round, but Robertson emphasized the need for improved performances if the team is to challenge for trophies this season. The match highlighted Liverpool’s ongoing defensive vulnerabilities, despite an unbeaten run of 11 games, as they continue to search for the perfect balance between attack and solidity at the back.

The game started brightly for Liverpool, with Szoboszlai opening the scoring in spectacular fashion. His stunning strike from distance marked the 100th goal of his career and gave the hosts an early lead, setting what appeared to be a comfortable tone. Jeremie Frimpong soon doubled the advantage, putting the Reds in control. However, just before half-time, Szoboszlai attempted an ill-advised back-heel inside his own penalty area, a moment of overconfidence that gifted Barnsley a goal. Adam Phillips, a former Liverpool academy player and self-confessed Reds fan, capitalized on the error to score at the Kop end, halving the deficit and injecting life into the visitors.

Robertson, a key figure in Liverpool’s defense, was candid about the incident in his post-match comments. “I think we all said something at the time, but he realised and apologised at half-time,” Robertson said. “If anyone’s performances can’t get criticised this season, it’s Dom’s. He’s been 100% every game this season and has this lapse of concentration, which isn’t great. We can’t really afford that in the so-called bigger games.” The Scotland international highlighted the frustration of conceding such a preventable goal, noting that it gave Barnsley renewed belief after the break. “That’s the most frustrating thing—it allowed Barnsley back into the game. This season, we’ve let teams in far too many times. From the opening game of the season, we’ve done it and we’ve been punished at times, in terms of losing or drawing games.”

The second half saw Liverpool regain composure, limiting Barnsley’s chances while pushing for more goals. Substitutes Florian Wirtz and Hugo Ekitike came off the bench to seal the win with late strikes, ensuring progression. Despite the result, Robertson was clear that the performance fell short of expectations. “I don’t think the performance was overly great. We showed moments of really good individual quality, but we’ve got to play a lot better than that if we want to go further in this competition.” He pointed out the team’s recent defensive improvements but stressed the need for consistency. “We’ve done better over the last couple of weeks. We’ve been a bit more secure defensively, which is pleasing, but now we need to put it all together because people are saying we’re lacking an attacking threat.”

Liverpool’s season under Slot has been a mix of promise and frustration. The team started strongly in attack but was often too open defensively, conceding avoidable goals. Recent matches have seen a shift toward greater solidity at the back, but at the expense of offensive flair. “At 2-0, we started looking in control so for that to happen, then questions get asked,” Robertson said of Szoboszlai’s error. “It’s safe to say it was an individual error, but we then limited their chances, which is good. Then it was just about getting the third and fourth.” He acknowledged the goalkeeper’s disappointment: “I don’t think Gio (Mamardashvili) was too happy. He wants to keep a clean sheet, the defence wants to keep a clean sheet as well, so it wasn’t great.”

Szoboszlai’s blunder was particularly notable given his otherwise stellar form this season. The Hungarian international has been a standout performer, contributing goals and assists while maintaining high energy levels. Robertson defended his teammate’s overall contributions: “The frustrating thing is Dom does this unbelievable 60-yard sprint to start with. He’s been magnificent for us this season and he was again really good. He just had a lapse of concentration, and we can’t afford too many of them in the six-yard box.” Barnsley’s manager, Conor Hourihane, labeled the back-heel as “disrespectful,” adding to the post-match discourse. Slot, Liverpool’s manager, confirmed he would address the issue privately with Szoboszlai, emphasizing the need for better decision-making in critical areas.

The win over Barnsley extends Liverpool’s unbeaten streak to 11 games, a positive amid a season of ups and downs. However, Robertson stressed that results alone aren’t enough: “Some of the performances still have to be better. Within that, we’ve got the draws against Leeds, Sunderland—games you’re expected to win. But within that too, there’s the draw at Arsenal, a win at the San Siro and things like that. Going 11 unbeaten is good. We’ve stopped the bad form, but we need to still lift the levels of performance.” The team has drawn criticism for lacking an attacking edge recently, a reversal from the season’s start when they were potent going forward but leaky at the back. “If you want to win trophies and go further in tournaments, you have to get the perfect balance and that’s what we’re working towards,” Robertson added.

Liverpool’s defensive issues have been a recurring theme this campaign. From the opening match, individual errors have led to conceded goals, resulting in dropped points against teams like Leeds and Sunderland. Robertson acknowledged this pattern: “We’ve let teams in far too many times. From the opening game of the season, we’ve done it and we’ve been punished at times.” The back-heel incident was a stark example, turning a comfortable lead into a nervy contest. “It gave them a way back in and it was 2-1 for a long time. It made it a bit nervy but we got there in the end,” he said.

The substitutes’ impact was a bright spot. Wirtz and Ekitike’s late goals not only secured the victory but demonstrated the squad’s depth. Slot has rotated players effectively during a busy schedule, but the manager will be keen to address the lapses that keep cropping up. Barnsley, despite the loss, played with spirit, and their goal at the Kop end was a moment Phillips will cherish, given his Liverpool roots.

Looking ahead, Liverpool face Burnley in the Premier League before their FA Cup clash with Brighton. The draw for the fourth round pits them against a familiar foe, offering a chance to build momentum. Robertson’s comments serve as a reminder that while results are grinding out, performances must elevate for silverware aspirations.

Fans have reacted mixedly on social media. Many praised Szoboszlai’s goal but lambasted the error, with one X post reading: “Szoboszlai’s back-heel was pure arrogance—nearly cost us!” Others defended him: “One mistake in a brilliant season—cut him slack.” Hourihane’s “disrespectful” label drew backlash from Liverpool supporters, who saw it as sour grapes.

The incident underscores the fine margins in football. For Liverpool, it’s a wake-up call amid an unbeaten run. As Robertson put it: “It’s unacceptable to lose a goal like that. Dom obviously knows that.” With the season heating up, the Reds must tighten up to turn promise into trophies.