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

Arne Slot says he will select a stronger Liverpool side for Monday's FA Cup third-round tie against Barnsley, after changing his outfield XI and losing to Plymouth in last season's competition.

Arne Slot has said he will not repeat last season's FA Cup selection gamble when Liverpool host Barnsley in the third round on Monday. Last January he made wholesale changes and Liverpool lost to Plymouth, then bottom of the Championship. Slot says the club's situation is different this season with elimination from the League Cup and less pressure in the league. He added that players who started against Arsenal are likely to be involved, with possible substitutions. Key facts: - Slot changed all 10 outfield players for the fourth-round tie at Home Park and Liverpool lost 1-0 to Plymouth. - The bench for that match included only two senior players, Curtis Jones and Darwin Núñez. - Slot says he stands by his decision last season because Liverpool were competing on multiple fronts at the time. - With Liverpool out of the League Cup and lower in the Premier League this season, Slot says he will select a stronger side against Barnsley. - Slot also made 10 changes for this season's Carabao Cup exit to Crystal Palace and said resting senior players helped manage the squad amid injuries, including Conor Bradley's recent absence. - Hugo Ekitiké has missed the last two games with a hamstring issue but could be available for the Barnsley match. Summary: Slot has signalled a different approach for the FA Cup third round, indicating many of the players used against Arsenal will be involved against Barnsley on Monday. He framed the change as a response to the club's current fixture and injury situation and referenced past squad-management decisions. The immediate next event is the Barnsley tie on Monday.