New Liverpool dream duo?
Wirtz comes in, Ekitiké plays heel, Wirtz scores
January 12, 2026 – 11:20 p.mReading time: 1 min.
First joker, then goalscorer: Florian Wirtz makes Liverpool FC fans celebrate with a late goal.
Thanks to the next goal from offensive star Florian Wirtz, Liverpool FC achieved success in the FA Cup. The national soccer player scored 4-1 (2-1) in the third round against English third division club FC Barnsley to make it 3-1. However, the reigning English champions initially had a difficult time with the outsiders.
Wirtz was only sent onto the field after an hour and scored in the 84th minute after a backheel pass from former Frankfurt player Hugo Ekitiké. Ekitiké then scored the final score in stoppage time – this time on an assist from Wirtz. The interaction between the two former Bundesliga players is working better and better.
The Reds’ other goalscorers also all have a Bundesliga past. Previously, ex-Leipzig player Dominik Szoboszlai (9th) had scored with a fantastic long-range shot, and ex-Leverkusen player Jeremie Frimpong (36th) also got on the scoresheet. However, Szoboszlai invited the guests from Barnsley to connect with a fatal loss of the ball, Adam Philipps (40th) only had to push in.
Wirtz only scored his first competitive goal for Liverpool shortly before the turn of the year, ending his goal drought since leaving Bayer Leverkusen. The 22-year-old has two goals in the Premier League, and the goal against Barnsley was his third competitive goal in a Liverpool FC jersey. His team will now face Brighton in the FA Cup on February 14th. Liverpool last won the FA Cup in 2022.