Arne Slot has admitted Liverpool face a selection dilemma ahead of their FA Cup meeting with Barnsley, with the Reds determined to avoid another giant-killing after being stung by Plymouth.
Liverpool were dumped out of the competition by Plymouth in a shock result that has stayed with the club, and Slot knows there is no room for complacency when Barnsley arrive looking to cause another upset.
Speaking before the tie, Slot acknowledged he is weighing up how strong to go with his line-up, balancing the need to protect players with the demand to keep Liverpool’s standards high in a knockout game.
The Liverpool head coach admitted there is a real decision to make over rotation, but stressed there can be no repeat of the mistakes that led to the Plymouth defeat. He wants an approach that respects the competition and the opponent, while still managing the squad across a busy schedule.
Barnsley travel to Anfield with nothing to lose and the chance to write their own cup story, while Liverpool’s focus is firmly on putting the Plymouth disappointment behind them and making sure this time the FA Cup does not deliver another painful lesson.
