Liverpool might have progressed to the fourth round of the FA Cup with a 4-1 win against Barnsley, but one player’s performance was well below par on the night. And the club really need to consider making an upgrade on him.
The Reds took the lead on the night through Dominik Szoboszlai, who unleashed a rocket from outside the penalty area in spectacular fashion. And Arne Slot’s team then doubled their advantage when Jeremie Frimpong notched Liverpool’s second of the night.
However, the hosts were far from convincing on the night as Szoboszlai went from hero to zero when his careless backheel fell to Barnsley’s Adam Phillips, who scored from close range. And the League One side continued to knock on the door for an equaliser, appealing for a penalty in the second half when Reyes Cleary went down in the box under the challenge from Szoboszlai, although nothing was given.
Liverpool are among keen on signing the promising 20-year-old defender.
Despite Barnsley’s heroic effort, their Premier League opponents eventually put the game out of reach late on. First, Florian Wirtz curled in an excellent effort in the 84th minute, before Hugo Ekitike tapped home a fourth in added time.
Liverpool Need to Upgrade on Lacklustre Star
Liverpool were made to work for their spot in the next round, where they will face Brighton. However, Slot will want much better from many players in his team, with a few potentially set to drop out of the line-up against the Seagulls.
One of those players simply has to be Federico Chiesa. Many fans have clamoured for him to get more minutes this season given the misfortunes of Mohamed Salah and others, but Monday night’s cup tie ultimately proved why he’s not been featuring more.
Lining up on the right flank, the Italian international really struggled to make much of an impact. Although he did manage a key pass, he didn’t complete any of his crosses or dribbles on the night, while he also failed to win any of his duels both on the turf or in the air.
There also simply wasn’t enough threat in front of goal. Managing two shots against Barnsley, Chiesa saw both of those blocked – hardly the efficiency many would have expected from him against League One opposition.
Check Out Chiesa’s Match Statistics Below:
Federico Chiesa vs Barnsley
Minutes Played
60
Key Passes
1
Crosses (Accurate)
3 (0)
Passing Accuracy
22/26 (85%)
Total Shots
2
Shots on Target
0
Touches
37
Possession Lost
9
Defensive Contributions
1
Ground Duels (Won)
3 (0)
Aerial Duels (Won)
2 (0)
Tonight simply proved that there’s a lack of suitable depth on the right flank. It’s been amplified with Slot continuing to use an out-of-form Salah for much of the year, and with his replacement failing to really do much at all in the FA Cup, the club really need to find a suitable player who can step in on the right flank and potentially even take over from Liverpool’s Egyptian King when he eventually leaves Anfield.
Supporters Slam Chiesa For Performance in Liverpool 4-1 Barnsley
Chiesa’s shortcomings against Barnsley didn’t go unnoticed by Liverpool supporters, who took to social media to voice their disapproval of the forward. One questioned why many had been screaming for him to start more games, stating: “Is everyone still up in arms that Chiesa doesn’t start? He’s genuinely awful.”
Another echoed the final part of that statement, writing: “Chiesa is so bad it’s funny.” And a fellow Liverpool fan followed up by writing: “Of all the valid criticisms people could throw at slot, I can’t believe people genuinely thought the biggest problem with him was not playing CHIESA.”
One more supporter was slightly less harsh, pointing out that he was not playing in his preferred position. They wrote: “100% Chiesa is wasted on the right, it’s literally pointless playing him there.”
A different fan added: “Package that Chiesa fella off to Italy. Abysmal signing.” And a final Liverpool supporter said: “Chiesa on the right ain’t it man. A young left-footed RW to backup Salah is needed.”
Since becoming Argentina manager in 2018, Lionel Scaloni has brought success to the nation, winning the 2022 World Cup whilst also reaching the final of the 2026 tournament.
He had initially joined the national team coaching set-up in 2016 as assistant manager after his ex-Sevilla colleague Jorge Sampaoli was hired as the manager. But after two years, Scaloni found himself managing the team after Sampaoli was sacked following a disappointing 2018 World Cup campaign.
With little experience in the coaching game, many were left bewildered to see Scaloni given the responsibility of managing a nation who have previously been world champions on two separate occasions with aspirations of a third. It was so surprising that even one of the country’s best-ever players vented his frustrations.
Diego Maradona’s Bold Verdict on Scaloni
Diego Maradona
Diego Maradona is one of the best footballers in football history, and arguably one of the best from his nation, along with a certain Lionel Messi. Maradona led Argentina to glory in 1986, winning the World Cup, and is regarded as one of the biggest characters in the game. Although his managerial tenure in charge of his nation didn’t bring success, he is still a legend of his country.
Following Lionel Scaloni’s appointment in 2018, Maradona was one of the first to criticise the new boss. According to AOL, Maradona said:
“Scaloni is a good guy, but he can’t even direct traffic. The problem is, tomorrow he becomes the manager and coach and says, ‘I want to go to the World Cup’. You can go to the World Cup for motorcycling, not football.”
The words at the time may have been harsh, but they were justified. Scaloni had never coached a men’s football team before stepping into one of the biggest roles in world football, but he has certainly shown he is capable of the task a few years on.
Scaloni’s Record as Argentina Manager
REUTERS/Paul Childs
Since taking over as Argentina manager in 2018, Scaloni has restored Argentina as one of the best football nations in the World. His first major tournament was the 2019 Copa América, where Argentina finished in third place. Despite the bronze medal, many fans were left frustrated with the performances shown by Scaloni’s side and demanded his sacking, but the Argentine Football Federation saw the third-place finish as acceptable and renewed his contract until 2022.
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The next Copa América was a much better result, as Argentina won the Copa América, beating hosts Brazil in the final 1-0. Scaloni was given more time and his Argentina side kept on growing, as they won the Finalissima against Italy before winning the 2022 World Cup after beating France in the final.
Argentina also made it to the 2026 World Cup final, but they lost 1-0 against Spain. Scaloni’s tenure has been a true success despite early criticism from fans, as well as being one of the country’s biggest-ever stars. Whilst at first it seemed like the appointment was a huge gamble and unambitious, Argentina have certainly reaped the rewards of sticking to their decision, despite the disapproval of a national hero.
Spain are now reigning champions of Europe and the World following a 1-0 extra-time victory over Argentina in the 2026 World Cup final on Sunday night.
Ferran Torres left it late to help La Roja take advantage of their numerical advantage at MetLife Stadium as La Albiceleste were reduced to 10 men following Enzo Fernandez’s second booking at the end of normal time.
Torres was a late arrival into the box in the 103rd minute to thunder the ball beyond a hapless Emiliano Martinez and hand his nation their second-ever World Cup.
Having only conceded one goal all tournament, Luis De La Fuente’s side didn’t concede a single shot until the extra-time period, and their defensive record sets a new record in the USA, Canada, and Mexico.
Former USMNT star Alexi Lalas has yet again caused controversy at this summer’s World Cup, this time with a comparison he made between Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo during live coverage of Sunday’s final.
Appearing on FOX Sports throughout the tournament, Zlatan Ibrahimovic and Thierry Henry are no stranger to a Lalas hot take, and they were once more seen with eyebrows raised at the MetLife Stadium as Lionel Messi and his Argentina side took on Spain.
In the end, it was European champions Spain who stopped La Albiceleste’s world title defence, with Ferran Torres scoring in extra-time to put the final nail in the coffin of a 10-man team after Enzo Fernandez’s dismissal at the end of regular time.
Alexi Lalas’ Controversial Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo Comparison
FOX Sports
Lalas has insisted that one legend’s story cannot be told without the other, despite Messi’s international accolades far superior to his adversaries, thus bringing about debate over whether he has far moved beyond Ronaldo this summer. During FOX Sports’ broadcast, he explained:
“You can boo all you want out there. But there is no Messi without Ronaldo. Heroes need villains. Sometimes you need a foil, my friend. It’s important at times. And these players, they have been representative of the World Cup.
“When we do those montages of World Cups going forward in the future, those players are going to be involved. Because you see them, and immediately you think of the World Cup. Immediately, you think greatness, and that is what the World Cup does to an individual. It elevates you even if you’re already famous, even if you’ve already done wonderful things. The World Cup is a whole other level of power and attention.”
Lalas’ assessment isn’t without reason. The core sentiment is that the former USMNT player feels the two players served as essential competitive muses who were necessary for each other to try find another gear. As such, they seemingly pushed each other to unprecedented and historic heights through their iconic rivalry.
It has been over two decades since both of them started their professional soccer career. During their time playing for Barcelona and Real Madrid, Messi and Ronaldo shared the most years (2009-2018) as direct rivals, with only two players winning a Ballon d’Or besides them in that time.
Backlash Has Come Thick and Fast for the US Pundit
REUTERS/Amanda Perobelli
The fact Messi has reached three World Cup finals, won a title, and is the second-highest goalscorer in the competition history, means that most would agree his legacy in football’s most prized tournament is untouchable compared to Ronaldo’s. And that’s why Lalas has come under such heavy fire. One X user went as far as to call him an “embarrassment to US football.”
A second added: “When you see Ronaldo’s picture, the last thing you’ll ever do is think of a World Cup!” as a third wrote: “If their WC achievements were flipped, Messi would have been forgotten. Somehow they keep Ronaldo’s name in there.” Elsewhere, a fourth remarked: “Ronaldo’s greatest achievement is being compared to Messi.”
