Liverpool FA Cup third round opponent confirmed during Arne Slot press conference

Liverpool will face Barnsley in the third round of the FA Cup following Monday’s draw.

The Reds enter the competition next month along with the rest of their Premier League rivals and the 24 Championship sides, with a mix of teams from League One, League Two and non-league having already made it through the previous rounds.

The draw was made ahead of today’s final second round fixture between National League side Brackley Town and third-tier Burton Albion. The third round is set to take place on the weekend of Saturday, January 10, with details set to be confirmed following the selection of TV fixtures.

Liverpool will be looking to the FA Cup as potentially its best chance of some silverware this season, with its Premier League title defense already looking to be over after a dismal couple of months has seen it fall 10 points off current leader Arsenal.

The Reds could be without Mohamed Salah for the tie against Barnsley, with the winger set to depart for the Africa Cup of Nations. The tournament runs until January 18, with the knockout stages getting underway from January 3, meaning he could return in time if Egypt fails to advance from its group.

His future at Liverpool though looks to be in serious doubt after his outburst against the club and Arne Slot at the weekend, having claimed that Saturday’s game against Brighton in the Premier League could be the last time he appears for the club.

Salah has been left out of the Reds’ traveling squad for Tuesday’s Champions League game against Inter Milan, although he did train alongside his teammates earlier in the day at the AXA Training Centre.

Slot also remains under pressure as his side continues to struggle after back-to-back draws against Sunderland and Leeds, with Liverpool having won just four of its last 15 games.

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