Liverpool will host Barnsley on Monday, January 12, 2026, at Anfield as the two sides meet in the FA Cup third round. This fixture will see the vast gulf between Premier League heavyweights and lower-league opposition. The Reds are entering this tie sitting fourth in the Premier League. Meanwhile, Barnsley are battling near the bottom of League One.
Liverpool’s recent league form has been draw-heavy. Arne Slot’s side are unbeaten in 10 matches across all competitions. Now, they will be keen to avoid another FA Cup embarrassment after last season’s shock exit. Meanwhile, Barnsley are arriving with poor away numbers and limited attacking output. It makes this a heavily one-sided contest on paper.
You can find more of our soccer predictions on our main picks hub. Here’s how we’re betting Liverpool vs Barnsley tonight, including our Best Bet, a Same-Game Parlay, and key trends to know.
Liverpool vs Barnsley Match Details
Competition: FA Cup
Date & kickoff: Monday, January 12, 2026 – 2:45 PM ET / 7:45 PM GT
Venue: Anfield Stadium, Liverpool, England
Expected XIs: Liverpool 4-2-3-1 vs Barnsley 3-4-2-1
Best Bet for Liverpool vs Barnsley
Our best bet for Liverpool vs Barnsley is Alexis Mac Allister to Either Score or Assist Anytime (-115) at FanDuel.
Backing Alexis Mac Allister to either score or assist is strongly supported by his role in Liverpool’s build-up and his underlying production metrics. Across Liverpool’s last 10 matches in all competitions, Mac Allister has averaged 0.34 expected goals plus assists (xG+xA) per 90 minutes.
It was driven by late box arrivals, progressive passing, and set-piece involvement. Mohamed Salah is away at AFCON and heavy rotation is expected in the forward line. Hence, Mac Allister’s creative responsibility increases significantly. Barnsley’s defensive numbers away from home provide further encouragement.
In their last 10 away fixtures, the Tykes have conceded an average of 1.7 goals per game. And they’ve allowed a high volume of shots from central zones, particularly from second-phase attacks. Mac Allister thrives in these scenarios. He often arrives unmarked at the edge of the box or threading passes through compact defensive lines.
Liverpool’s expected dominance in possession (projected above 65%) should place Mac Allister in advanced midfield areas for prolonged spells. Against a League One side likely to defend deep, his shooting from range and ability to create chances from half-spaces make him a consistent contributor to the scoresheet.
Liverpool vs Barnsley Prediction
Our pick: Liverpool to Win at -1000 (BetMGM) / -1100 (FanDuel)
Liverpool’s extremely short price on the moneyline reflects a mismatch that is difficult to argue against. The Reds are unbeaten in 10 straight matches across all competitions. They’ve registered an average xG differential of +1.15 per match during that run. Whereas, Barnsley have struggled to generate consistent attacking threat in League One.
They’re averaging under 1.1 xG per game across their last 10 fixtures. Anfield further tilts the scales. Liverpool have lost just once at home this season in all competitions. And they continue to post elite defensive numbers. The Reds have conceded fewer than 0.9 expected goals per home match.
Even with squad rotation expected, Liverpool’s second-string options carry significant Premier League and European experience compared to Barnsley’s largely domestic lower-league squad. Barnsley’s away form compounds the issue.
They have won only two of their last 12 away matches. They’ve registered six defeats and four draws. They’ve also failed to score in four of those games. Their suspension issues in midfield and lack of recent match rhythm (due to postponed fixtures) further weaken their chances of resisting sustained pressure.
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Same-Game Parlay (Bet Builder) for Liverpool vs Barnsley
Bet $100 to Win $278.02 (FanDuel) Total Goals Over 2.5 (-400) + Federico Chiesa to score anytime (+115) + Alexis Mac Allister to either score two goals or more (-115)
This parlay aligns with the expected match script of sustained Liverpool pressure and multiple goal contributions from advanced midfield and wide players. Over 2.5 goals has landed in seven of Liverpool’s last nine domestic cup matches, especially against lower-league opposition.
Federico Chiesa is well-positioned to exploit Barnsley’s defensive shape. In his recent appearances, Chiesa has averaged 3.6 shots per 90 minutes. A high percentage came from inside the penalty area. His direct dribbling and willingness to attack the byline should trouble Barnsley.
Especially considering they tend to concede a high number of crosses and cut-backs on the road. Combining Chiesa’s scoring upside with Mac Allister’s creative involvement creates a parlay that captures Liverpool’s most reliable attacking pathways, while the heavy over leans on the Reds’ volume-based chance creation.
3-Leg Bet Builder
Leg 1: Total Goals Over 2.5
Leg 2: Federico Chiesa to score anytime
Leg 3: Alexis Mac Allister to either score two goals or more
This builder focuses on repeatable outcomes rather than match volatility. Liverpool’s attacking depth and Barnsley’s away defensive issues make three or more goals a realistic baseline. Chiesa’s shot volume and Mac Allister’s central role reduce reliance on a single scorer, spreading exposure across Liverpool’s most active attacking channels. At +525, this combination offers enhanced value without requiring a specific scoreline or clean sheet.
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Over 2.5: -450 / Under 2.5: +290 Over 3.5: -154 / Under 3.5: +118
Over 2.5: -430 / Under 2.5: +320 Over 3.5: -160 / Under 3.5: +130
BTTS
Yes: -114 / No: -150
Yes: -116 / No: -122
Asian Handicap
Liverpool -1.5: -275 / -1.75: -227 Barnsley +1.75: +175
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Draw No Bet
Liverpool: -4000 Barnsley: +1000
Liverpool: -4000 Barnsley: +1600
Double Chance
Liverpool or Draw: -10000 Barnsley or Draw: +475
Liverpool or Draw: -7000 Barnsley or Draw: +650
Trends to Know for Liverpool vs Barnsley
Form Contrast: Liverpool are unbeaten in 10 matches across all competitions, while Barnsley have lost three of their last four.
Home vs Away Split: Liverpool average over 2.1 goals per game at Anfield, while Barnsley have just two away wins in their last 12 road fixtures.
Shot Metrics: Liverpool rank among the Premier League leaders for shots in the box per match, while Barnsley allow a high shot volume away from home.
Rotation Factor: Liverpool’s rotated XI still features significantly higher market value and experience than Barnsley’s first choice side.
Cup Context: Liverpool will be motivated to avoid a second straight FA Cup upset after last season’s shock elimination, increasing the likelihood of a professional, assertive performance.
Latest Injuries & Lineup News for Liverpool vs Barnsley
In soccer, injuries and rotations can drastically alter how a match plays out, especially when it comes to BTTS, totals, and goalscorer markets. Navigating through a few key injuries in this clash, both coaches will look to lineup their strongest XI. Here are the players who are either doubtful or are set to miss out:
Team
Player
Status
Notes
Liverpool
Alexander Isak
Out
Ankle
Liverpool
Connor Bradley
Out
Knee
Liverpool
Giovanni Leoni
Out
ACL
Liverpool
Hugo Ekitike
Out
Hamstring
Liverpool
Stefan Bajcetic
Out
Hamstring
Liverpool
Wataru Endo
Out
Ankle
Liverpool
Mohamed Salah
Out
International Duty
Barnsley
Luca Connell
Out
Suspension
Reminder: Always check confirmed lineups 60–75 minutes before kickoff, especially for goalscorer and BTTS markets.
How to watch – quick Q&A
What time is Liverpool vs Barnsley?
Liverpool vs Barnsley kicks off at 2:45 PM ET on Monday, January 12, 2026 (7:45 PM local UK time).
Where is the match being played?
The match will be played at the Anfield Stadium in Liverpool, England.
How can I watch on TV / stream?
Broadcast rights vary by territory. In the US, the Premier League can be telecast on ESPN. The match will be telecast on TNT Sports in the UK. The match will also be available to stream on these broadcasters’ official websites.
Football writer at The Playoffs. I’ve been obsessed with the beautiful game since I was a kid.. Eventually, I realized I could combine my passion for writing with my love for football, and I’ve never looked back. My favorite part of the job is everything—when you’re doing what you love, even a late-night deadline feels like extra time in a thrilling cup final. Lastly, Lionel Messi is the GOAT.
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