Liverpool make hard work of progressing past Tykes

Late goals from Wirtz and Ekitike settle the nerves at Anfield

- By CARL MARKHAM

Jeremie Frimpong celebrates scoring Liverpool's second goal (top right); Florian Wirtz makes it 3-1 (bottom)

LIVERPOOL survived a bizarre moment of madness from Dominik Szoboszlai to avoid an FA Cup shock to Sky Bet League One Barnsley with a sketchy 4-1 victory at Anfield.

The Hungary international showed a reckless arrogance with his attempted backheel inside his own six-yard area, which presented Adam Phillips with the opportunity in front of the Kop he would have dreamed of as a former Reds trainee and boyhood fan.

What was so staggering was that his side was in complete control just five minutes before halftime as Szoboszlai's sumptuous strike had been followed by another stunner from Jeremie Frimpong.

It was all the encouragement the visitors, 17th in the third tier, needed to push for the equaliser and they continued to ask questions until substitute Florian Wirtz curled home in the 84th minute. Hugo Ekitike slid home in added time to book a home tie with Brighton.

Incredibly Szoboszlai's night could have got worse had VAR been in operation and able to review his tackle on Reyes Cleary which left Barnsley furious they were not awarded a penalty.