Arne Slot to pick strong Liverpool team a year on from Plymouth FA Cup upset

Arne Slot says he will field a stronger Liverpool side against Barnsley in the FA Cup third round, and Conor Bradley will need knee surgery that is likely to rule him out for the rest of the season.

Arne Slot has said he will not repeat the extensive rotation used in last season's FA Cup tie at Plymouth when Liverpool host Barnsley in the third round on Monday. Slot defended the earlier decision as one taken while Liverpool were competing on multiple fronts, but noted the club's circumstances have changed this season. One confirmed absentee is right-back Conor Bradley, who will undergo surgery for bone and ligament damage to his left knee and is likely to miss the remainder of the season. Slot indicated the team that started against Arsenal will largely be available for the cup tie, with some substitutions and use of the bench. Match and injury facts: - Slot made 10 outfield changes for last season's FA Cup tie at Plymouth, and Liverpool lost 1-0 at Home Park. - Slot says Liverpool will field most of the players who started against Arsenal, with those players also available for the bench. - Conor Bradley has damage to bone and ligaments in his left knee, will have an operation in the coming days, and is likely to be sidelined for the rest of the season. - Bradley's injury is not an ACL tear, and his fitness for a possible Northern Ireland World Cup play-off remains uncertain. - Slot also made 10 changes in this season's Carabao Cup tie against Crystal Palace and said rotation was related to managing player availability across competitions. - Hugo Ekitiké has missed Liverpool's last two games with a hamstring problem but could be available for the Barnsley match. Summary: The coach plans a stronger selection for the FA Cup third-round game against Barnsley than the one used against Plymouth a year ago, and Liverpool enter the match with a changed squad context after earlier cup exits and league position. Conor Bradley will undergo knee surgery in the coming days and is likely to miss the rest of the season; the club and manager have outlined immediate plans for the Barnsley tie but longer-term recovery timelines remain undetermined at this time.