Dominik Szoboszlai experienced both extremes as Liverpool eased into the FA Cup fourth round with a 4-1 victory over League One side Barnsley, producing a moment of brilliance and a costly error in the same evening at Anfield.

The Hungarian midfielder opened the scoring in spectacular fashion on Monday night, unleashing a thunderous long-range strike into the top corner to give the hosts an early lead. Jeremie Frimpong doubled Liverpool’s advantage before half-time, putting the Premier League side firmly in control.

However, Szoboszlai handed Barnsley an unexpected lifeline shortly after the break. A misplaced backheel inside his own penalty area gifted Adam Phillips possession, and the midfielder made no mistake by smashing the ball home.

Barnsley boss Conor Hourihane was left incensed when his side were denied a penalty midway through the second half, believing Szoboszlai had tripped Reyes Cleary inside the box. The appeals were waved away, further fuelling the visitors’ frustration.

With Liverpool struggling to find fluency in the final third, Arne Slot turned to his bench just after the hour mark, introducing Florian Wirtz, Hugo Ekitike, Ibrahima Konaté and Ryan Gravenberch in a bid to assert control.

The changes proved decisive late on. Liverpool laboured for much of the second period, but their quality eventually told in the closing stages as the two attacking substitutes combined to put the tie beyond doubt.

Ekitike’s clever flick set up Wirtz, who curled a superb finish into the top corner to make it three goals in five matches since opening his account for the club on his 23rd appearance. In stoppage time, the pair reversed roles, with Wirtz selflessly squaring the ball for Ekitike to tap in from close range.

Liverpool’s reward is a home tie in the fourth round against Brighton, the side who recently eliminated Manchester United, as Slot’s team continue their pursuit of domestic silverware.