Liverpool faces Barnsley in the FA Cup, reviving a rivalry that stretches back over a century. This matchup marks a significant chapter in both clubs’ histories in cup competitions.
Liverpool vs Barnsley: Historical Context
Historically, Liverpool has fared well against Barnsley in FA Cup ties. Out of five confrontations, they triumphed in four, notably during the years 1894-95, 1905-06, 1913-14, and 1984-85. However, Barnsley notably eliminated Liverpool in the fifth round of the FA Cup during the 2007-08 season.
Recent Form and Trends
In their last encounters at Anfield, Barnsley has claimed victory twice. They won in the Premier League in 1997 and again in the FA Cup in 2008. Currently, no team has a longer active winning streak at Anfield than Barnsley, echoing the successes of Nottingham Forest and Atalanta.
- Liverpool has progressed from 13 of their last 14 FA Cup third-round matches.
- The sole exception was a 2-1 defeat to Wolverhampton in the 2018-19 season.
- The Reds have not lost at this stage to a non-Premier League team since the 2009-10 season when they fell to Reading.
Barnsley’s Cup Struggles
Conversely, Barnsley has struggled against Premier League teams in recent FA Cup campaigns. They have been eliminated in their last six ties against top-flight clubs, the last victory being a notable win against Chelsea in the quarter-finals of the 2007-08 season.
Liverpool’s Home Advantage
At home, Liverpool has been impressive in the FA Cup. They have won eight of their last nine home matches in this competition, drawing once. Their recent home losses mainly came against teams starting with the letter ‘W’, such as Wolves and West Brom.
- Last two home FA Cup defeats: against Wolves and West Brom.
- Aggregate score in last nine home matches against teams not starting with ‘W’: 25-6.
As Liverpool prepares to meet Barnsley, the stakes are high for both clubs, setting the stage for an exciting FA Cup encounter.
