Arne Slot will not make the same gamble with his team selection this FA Cup third round as he did last season when Liverpool faced Plymouth, but the absence of Conor Bradley due to a knee injury will undoubtedly cause him concern.
The 22-year-old right-back sustained an injury in Thursday's goalless draw against Arsenal and will have surgery in the coming days. He is likely to be ruled out for the rest of the season, a significant blow to Slot's team, which was already stretched.
Slot acknowledged that his decision to make 10 outfield changes for Liverpool's FA Cup exit at Home Park last season was a gamble that didn't pay off. However, he believes that this season is different and promises to field all the players who started against Arsenal, with possible substitutions during the game.
In contrast to Plymouth, Slot will not be tempted to rest senior players in favor of younger ones, given Liverpool's current position in the Premier League. The team has already suffered an exit from the Carabao Cup, and Slot is keen to avoid another injury blow by giving his players adequate rest.
Slot takes Barnsley seriously, having beaten them 1-0 at home in 2008, and acknowledges that they will be a tough opponent this time around. However, he maintains that Liverpool's squad is strong enough to compete against any team.
The latest injury setback for Bradley, who has struggled with fitness issues throughout his career, comes as Northern Ireland prepares to qualify for the World Cup via the playoffs. With the tournament just around the corner, Bradley's recovery will be crucial.
Hugo Ekitiké, who has missed Liverpool's last two games due to a hamstring problem, could potentially make an appearance against Barnsley, but it remains to be seen how Slot will line up his team on Monday.
The 22-year-old right-back sustained an injury in Thursday's goalless draw against Arsenal and will have surgery in the coming days. He is likely to be ruled out for the rest of the season, a significant blow to Slot's team, which was already stretched.
Slot acknowledged that his decision to make 10 outfield changes for Liverpool's FA Cup exit at Home Park last season was a gamble that didn't pay off. However, he believes that this season is different and promises to field all the players who started against Arsenal, with possible substitutions during the game.
In contrast to Plymouth, Slot will not be tempted to rest senior players in favor of younger ones, given Liverpool's current position in the Premier League. The team has already suffered an exit from the Carabao Cup, and Slot is keen to avoid another injury blow by giving his players adequate rest.
Slot takes Barnsley seriously, having beaten them 1-0 at home in 2008, and acknowledges that they will be a tough opponent this time around. However, he maintains that Liverpool's squad is strong enough to compete against any team.
The latest injury setback for Bradley, who has struggled with fitness issues throughout his career, comes as Northern Ireland prepares to qualify for the World Cup via the playoffs. With the tournament just around the corner, Bradley's recovery will be crucial.
Hugo Ekitiké, who has missed Liverpool's last two games due to a hamstring problem, could potentially make an appearance against Barnsley, but it remains to be seen how Slot will line up his team on Monday.
I'm literally shaking with rage thinking about Arne Slot and the fact that Conor Bradley is out for the season!!! 
How are we supposed to compete without our best right-back?!?! 
I mean, I get it, injuries happen but this feels like a cruel joke... especially now that Northern Ireland is on the line for the World Cup playoffs and Bradley's recovery will be so crucial 
. And can you blame me if Arne Slot starts to feel like he's losing his mind?! 
First, we have to deal with the drama of our FA Cup exit last season (I'm still not over it 
. And what about Hugo Ekitiké's return from his hamstring issue?! Will we finally see him take the field on Monday?! Fingers crossed for me 
. But come on, with a tough opponent like Barnsley and the World Cup just around the corner for Bradley, I'm pretty sure Slot will want to keep his best players fresh and injury-free 
.
. 10 outfield changes in the FA Cup last season? That was a bit harsh, right? I think Slot learned his lesson this time around and will give the starters some rest too. But Barnsley is no joke! They've been around since '08 and beat Liverpool back then... this should be an interesting match 
️. Fingers crossed Bradley recovers in time for Northern Ireland's World Cup qualifiers, that guy needs all the help he can get right now 
i feel bad for him and northerneye, they need him now with the world cup qualifying in full swing. slot better have a good gameplan against barnsley or else lol, they did beat them 1-0 back in 2008 so u can never count out barnsley 
. Barnsley might give 'em a run for their money 
.
. I mean, Arne Slot saying they won't be making the same gamble as last season, good on him I guess... but what if it doesn't work out again? Like, will they just keep bringing in fresh players and hope for the best?
... fingers crossed tho! 
️
northern ireland is on the edge of qualification here and this could be the push they need...i'm still gonna pick barnsley though 
. The team's already taking hits in other competitions, so maybe this is a chance for them to regroup and come back stronger 
. Can't wait to see how Slot lines up against Barnsley on Monday 
️!
. I mean, they did lose to Plymouth last season, so we can't count them out just yet. Plus, Slot's team has already lost in the Carabao Cup, so this one feels like a must-win for them.
. I mean, last season's FA Cup exit was a major embarrassment for Liverpool and it's clear he learned from that experience 
. I mean, what's going on? It feels like they can't catch a break.
. Making 10 changes against Plymouth was definitely a risk and it didn't pay off, but I think he's taking the right approach this time around. Resting players won't be an option, at least not in the FA Cup.
. Northern Ireland is just around the corner, hope Bradley gets back fit in time... fingers crossed! 
And what about Hugo Ekitiké making a comeback? Will he even make it onto the pitch?