Struggling Liverpool Face Barnsley in FA Cup Third Round

8. Dezember 2025 um 19:43

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Struggling Liverpool drew League One outfit Barnsley in the FA Cup third round on Monday, setting up a fixture full of upset risks.

Under Arne Slot, the team has faced a tough campaign, marked by a poor defence of their Premier League crown and explosive comments from key player Mohamed Salah about his strained ties with the manager.

Already eliminated from the League Cup, Liverpool sit in ninth in the Premier League table, turning to the FA Cup as their best shot at home trophies this year.

No matter what lies ahead for him at Liverpool, following his recent public frustration, Salah will miss the January clash at Anfield against the third division visitors.

After criticising his exclusion from three games in a row, the forward heads to the African Cup of Nations to represent Egypt.

The draw included four Premier League matchups, such as Aston Villa at Tottenham, Everton against Sunderland, Newcastle versus Bournemouth, and Brighton away to Manchester United.

Top of the Premier League, Arsenal will travel to Championship side Portsmouth, while Wrexham from the second tier, owned by stars Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney, got a big home game versus Nottingham Forest.

Manchester City take on League One's Exeter, and Chelsea visit Championship team Charlton at The Valley.

Current FA Cup winners Crystal Palace head to Macclesfield in the sixth tier.

One of four non-league sides left when the draw occurred, Macclesfield hold 14th spot in the National League North.

From National League South, Weston-super-Mare will go to League Two's Grimsby, who earlier ousted Manchester United in the League Cup.

FA Cup third round draw:

Wolves v Shrewsbury

Doncaster v Southampton

Tottenham v Aston Villa

Port Vale v Fleetwood

Preston v Wigan

Ipswich v Blackpool

Wrexham v Nottingham Forest