Liverpool's Arne Slot Promises To Avoid Mistake That Led To FA Cup Shock Exit: 'Can Guarantee You...'

Last Updated:January 11, 2026, 19:44 IST

Arne Slot will field Liverpool's strongest squad against Barnsley in the FA Cup, aiming to avoid last season's Plymouth upset.

Mohamed Salah and Arne Slot (X)

Liverpool manager Arne Slot will field his strongest available squad for Monday’s FA Cup third-round match against League One side Barnsley, aiming to avoid a repeat of last season’s surprise exit to Plymouth Argyle, when he used a heavily rotated team.

Plymouth, who were bottom of the Championship, knocked out the Premier League leaders in the fourth round with a 1-0 win.

Slot emphasised the importance of the FA Cup now that Liverpool are no longer in the League Cup, having been eliminated earlier this season.

“I can guarantee you that on Monday you will see all the players that you saw (on Thursday against Arsenal), maybe with some substitutions but then they will be on the bench. So that is going to be different than last season against Plymouth," Slot told reporters.

“Last season I decided some players needed rest in the FA Cup because you cannot play every player every single time. But it’s obvious that we’re not in the League Cup anymore. The FA Cup has always been very important for us."

Who Will Win?

Slot also acknowledged that Barnsley poses a genuine threat, noting the Yorkshire club’s last visit to Anfield ended in a 2-1 victory in the FA Cup.

“Barnsley, I was just informed, the last time they played against us, they beat us. That was in 2008, in our stadium. So we take them, as we took Plymouth, very seriously as well," he added.

Liverpool were also dealt a blow with right-back Conor Bradley potentially ruled out for the season after a knee injury at Arsenal, with the Northern Irishman set to undergo surgery.

Slot mentioned that striker Hugo Ekitike is “not 100%" but that the club would “do everything to have him available" for Monday’s game.

The manager said Federico Chiesa remains an option, but his participation would depend on Ekitike’s availability.

“I spoke to him (Chiesa) two days ago and he said to me that he played more in recent weeks than he ever did before under me," Slot said. “But he is one of the players that could feature in that game, definitely. But Hugo might be back, so let’s see how we will start that game. He is one of the options that I have."

(With inputs from Agencies)

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