Liverpool suffered a humiliating FA Cup exit on Sunday, as Championship strugglers Plymouth Argyle handed them a stunning 1-0 defeat in the fourth round. The Reds’ manager Arne Slot made a risky decision to field a weakened squad, and it ultimately backfired. A second-half penalty from Ryan Hardie secured Plymouth’s unforgettable upset at Home Park, ending Liverpool’s hopes of a quadruple this season.
Liverpool’s Weakened Lineup Proves Costly
Slot made 10 changes to the Liverpool lineup that had just thrashed Tottenham 4-0 in the League Cup semi-final. Key players, including Virgil van Dijk, Mohamed Salah, Andrew Robertson, and Cody Gakpo, were rested ahead of a busy fixture schedule. However, this gamble failed to pay off as Liverpool struggled to find their rhythm.
The Premier League leaders, who had been in scintillating form under Slot, were unable to break down the Championship’s bottom team, failing to score for just the fourth time this season. Their defeat was only the fourth instance in FA Cup history where a Premier League leader was knocked out by a lower division club.
The Decisive Moment: Hardie’s Calm Penalty
Liverpool’s lethargic performance worsened when Joe Gomez was forced to limp off injured early in the first half. The first real chance came in the 36th minute, but James McConnell’s long-range shot was easily saved by Plymouth’s Conor Hazard.
The match’s turning point came in the 54th minute when Darko Gyabi’s overhead kick struck Harvey Elliott’s arm, resulting in a clear penalty. Ryan Hardie kept his composure and slotted the ball past Caoimhin Kelleher, sending the home crowd into raptures.
Liverpool’s Late Push Falls Short
Despite Liverpool’s late efforts, with Diogo Jota and Darwin Nunez both denied by outstanding saves from Hazard in stoppage time, Plymouth held firm to claim one of the greatest FA Cup giant-killings in recent memory. Manager Miron Muslic—who took charge of Plymouth in January—celebrated the triumph, which will be remembered as one of the most iconic upsets in the competition’s history.
Muslic, who had escaped war-torn Bosnia as a child, reflected on the emotional significance of the win: “I’m speechless, and normally they tell me I’m eloquent! It’s a big day for us. It’s a magical day.” This victory marked another memorable chapter in Plymouth’s FA Cup campaign, having already eliminated Brentford in the third round.
Looking Ahead: A Critical Week for Liverpool
Despite the shocking defeat, there is no need for Liverpool to panic. A victory over Everton in the upcoming Merseyside derby at Goodison Park would keep them nine points clear of second-placed Arsenal in the Premier League title race. Additionally, they are through to the Champions League last 16 and will face Newcastle in the League Cup final in March.
Slot acknowledged the defeat, saying, “We were not having a very good day. A result like this is the outcome. I can’t say the boys didn’t fight, both teams barely created a chance and then it was a penalty. In a game like this, it is up to one moment. That moment was for them, and they deserve it.”
Wolves Progress to Fifth Round
Elsewhere in the FA Cup, Wolves advanced to the fifth round with a comfortable 2-0 win over Blackburn. The Premier League side cruised past the second-tier club, with goals from Joao Gomes and Matheus Cunha within 39 seconds of each other in the first half. This victory was a much-needed break for Wolves, who have been struggling in the Premier League.
Pressure Mounts on Tottenham’s Postecoglou
With Tottenham’s boss Ange Postecoglou already under scrutiny following their League Cup exit to Liverpool, the Spurs manager cannot afford another setback when his team faces Aston Villa later this weekend.