Liverpool have drawn all of their last three matches heading into the game on Monday night, with their latest coming against league leaders Arsenal in a hard fought 0-0 result.
The Reds are aiming to extend their unbeaten run to 11 games across all competitions against the League One side but will be without a number of key players as manager Arne Slot prepares his side.
The first is Mohamed Salah, who is, of course, representing Egypt in the Africa Cup of Nations. Defenders Giovanni Leoni (ACL), Conor Bradley (knee) are also both out and will not return until the end of the season.
Slot has revealed Hugo Ekitike could return after missing the last two games against Fulham and Arsenal, but the Frenchman is unlikely to start against Barnsley as reports suggest he will be rested.
Fellow summer signing Alexander Isak (ankle & fractured fibula) is also out and has an unknown return date due to a long term injury which will keep him sidelined for at least another month.
Finally, Wataru Endo (ankle) also misses out, but the good news is that the Japanese international is expected to return to training in the coming days in what is a huge boost for Slot.
Slot to name a strong side
Slot guaranteed that he will name a strong squad against Barnsley as the likes of Rio Ngumoha and Federico Chiesa aim to get on the pitch.
“We’re really excited to be able to test ourselves against one of the best teams in the world. We expect a really tough occasion, of course, but one that the lads need to be ready for and fully prepared for,” Hourihane said.
“It’s difficult to know what personnel will be out there. Are the big boys going to play, or will they go a little bit weaker? Either way, we need to be ready and have a game plan. I want the lads to maximise the opportunity and express themselves.”