Plymouth Argyle pulled off one of the biggest shocks in FA Cup history on Sunday, defeating Premier League leaders Liverpool 1-0 at Home Park in the fourth round.
Ryan Hardie’s 53rd-minute penalty, awarded after Harvey Elliott’s handball, proved decisive as Arne Slot’s heavily rotated Liverpool side suffered only their fourth defeat of the season in all competitions.
Plymouth’s Heroic Performance
Sitting bottom of the EFL Championship, Plymouth produced a classic FA Cup giant-killing, frustrating a Liverpool side missing key stars like Mohamed Salah and Virgil van Dijk, who were not included in the squad.
Plymouth’s goalkeeper Conor Hazard and center-back Nikola Katić delivered defensive masterclasses, with Hazard making crucial stoppage-time saves to deny Diogo Jota and Darwin Núñez, securing a famous victory.
A Landmark Victory for Plymouth & Miron Muslic
Miron Muslic, manager of Plymouth Argyle.. (Fllan/Getty Images)
This stunning upset was a triumph for Plymouth’s new manager Miron Muslic, who has revitalized the ‘Green Army’ since replacing Wayne Rooney.
The win ignited wild celebrations among Plymouth fans, who sensed their opportunity when Liverpool’s weakened team sheet was revealed.
Though their main goal remains survival in the Championship, this FA Cup win is a morale-boosting moment that will be remembered forever in Devon.
Liverpool’s FA Cup Gamble Ends in Embarrassment
Liverpool players surround Joe Gomez after he picked up an injury. (Photo by Dan Mullan/Getty Images)
Liverpool manager Arne Slot has enjoyed a sensational start since succeeding Jürgen Klopp, guiding the club to the top of the Premier League, the Carabao Cup final, and the Champions League last 16.
However, his FA Cup rotation gamble backfired spectacularly, as he made 10 changes from the team that thrashed Tottenham 4-0 in the Carabao Cup semi-final.
Despite having Luis DÃaz, Federico Chiesa, Jota, Elliott, and Wataru Endo, Liverpool’s fringe players and youngsters struggled in the hostile Home Park atmosphere.
Liverpool must now bounce back quickly, with a Merseyside derby against Everton looming on Wednesday in their Premier League title chase.
This shocking FA Cup exit marks the biggest disappointment of the Slot era so far and ends Liverpool’s hopes of an unprecedented quadruple.
