Liverpool endured a shocking exit from the FA Cup after suffering a 1-0 defeat to Championship side Plymouth, dashing their hopes of securing a historic quadruple. A second-half penalty from Ryan Hardie secured an unforgettable victory for the underdogs in the fourth-round tie at Home Park, leaving Arne Slot and his side facing unexpected disappointment.
Liverpool’s Gamble Backfires
Arne Slot’s decision to make wholesale changes to his squad proved costly, as Liverpool struggled to find their rhythm against a determined Plymouth side. Virgil van Dijk, Mohamed Salah, Andrew Robertson, and Cody Gakpo were all rested, with the Dutch manager making ten changes from the team that convincingly defeated Tottenham Hotspur 4-0 in the League Cup semifinal just days earlier.
It marked a rare miscalculation for Slot in what has otherwise been a highly successful debut season in charge. Liverpool, who sit atop the Premier League, had lost only three times in all competitions before this match and had rarely struggled to find the back of the net under their new boss. However, this latest setback was just the fourth instance of a Premier League leader being eliminated from the FA Cup by a lower-division team.
With a crucial Merseyside derby against Everton at Goodison Park looming on Thursday, Liverpool must quickly recover from this disappointment. A victory in that fixture would provide a significant boost, potentially extending their lead at the top of the Premier League to nine points over second-placed Arsenal. Additionally, their Champions League campaign remains on track as they prepare for the last-16 stage, while a League Cup final against Newcastle United in March still offers a chance for silverware.
A Triumph Against the Odds for Plymouth
For Plymouth Argyle, this victory represents one of the greatest giant-killings in FA Cup history. The win is made even more remarkable given their struggles in the Championship, where they have battled to move clear of the relegation zone.
Manager Miron Muslic, who took charge in January following the departure of Wayne Rooney, has already faced significant challenges. The Bosnian-born coach was forced to flee his hometown of Bihać as a child during the 1992 siege, relocating to Austria for safety. His ability to mastermind a victory over one of England’s most dominant clubs while simultaneously fighting to keep Plymouth in the Championship is nothing short of extraordinary.
Plymouth had already claimed a Premier League scalp by defeating Brentford in the third round, but their victory over West Bromwich Albion last weekend was their first in the league since November. Given these circumstances, few would have predicted such a resilient and disciplined performance against Liverpool.
Liverpool Struggle to Find a Breakthrough
Under the crisp winter sun along the Devon coast, Liverpool’s makeshift side suffered an early setback when Joe Gomez limped off with an apparent muscle injury in the opening ten minutes. His replacement, Isaac Mabaya, making his debut, was later substituted himself, compounding the visitors’ difficulties.
Liverpool’s attack lacked fluency, and they found it difficult to break down a well-drilled Plymouth defence. The first real chance of the match came in the 36th minute when James McConnell unleashed a long-range strike, only for goalkeeper Conor Hazard to produce a sharp save.
Arne Slot’s frustration was evident on the sidelines, and his team’s sluggish performance was encapsulated early in the second half when Darko Gyabi’s overhead kick struck Harvey Elliott’s raised arm inside the penalty area.
The referee pointed to the spot, and Hardie made no mistake, confidently sending Caoimhin Kelleher the wrong way from 12 yards.
“It was a clear penalty,”
observed one commentator, as Plymouth’s supporters erupted in celebration.
The home side nearly doubled their lead on the hour mark when Hardie was again denied by Kelleher, who managed to divert the striker’s effort at his near post.
Desperate Late Push Falls Short
As the clock ticked down, Slot turned to his bench, introducing Darwin Núñez and Diogo Jota in an attempt to salvage the tie. However, Liverpool found themselves frustrated by a resilient Plymouth defence, which stood firm despite relentless late pressure.
Hazard produced crucial saves in stoppage time, denying Jota and Núñez as Liverpool desperately sought an equaliser. Nine minutes of additional time only prolonged their agony, with the final whistle confirming one of the most remarkable upsets in FA Cup history.
Plymouth’s players celebrated jubilantly at full-time, while Liverpool’s stunned squad trudged off the pitch, left to reflect on an afternoon where they simply could not impose themselves.
