Liverpool’s hopes of a historic quadruple came crashing down in stunning fashion as Championship strugglers Plymouth pulled off a remarkable 1-0 victory in the FA Cup fourth round on Sunday.
Manager Arne Slot’s decision to field a heavily rotated side proved costly, with Ryan Hardie’s second-half penalty sealing a famous win for the underdogs at Home Park.
Liverpool’s team sheet raised eyebrows, as key stars Virgil van Dijk, Mohamed Salah, Andrew Robertson, and Cody Gakpo were all rested. Slot made 10 changes from the side that dismantled Tottenham 4-0 in the League Cup semi-final just days earlier, and the gamble backfired spectacularly.
Despite dominating possession, the Premier League leaders lacked cutting edge, managing only one shot on target in the first half. Plymouth, fighting to escape the Championship relegation zone, defended resolutely and seized their moment in the 54th minute.
Darko Gyabi’s overhead kick was blocked by Harvey Elliott’s raised arm, leaving referee Michael Salisbury with no choice but to award a penalty. Hardie held his nerve, sending Liverpool keeper Caoimhin Kelleher the wrong way to send the Home Park crowd into raptures.
Slot, enjoying a strong debut season with Liverpool, cut a frustrated figure on the touchline as his side failed to break down the stubborn Plymouth defense. Diogo Jota and Darwin Nunez forced late saves from goalkeeper Conor Hazard, but the hosts held on for a famous victory.
It was only the fourth time a Premier League leader had been knocked out of the FA Cup by a lower-division team. For Liverpool, it was a humbling defeat, marking just their fourth loss in all competitions this season and only the third time they had failed to score under Slot.
Now, the Reds must regroup quickly ahead of Wednesday’s Merseyside derby against Everton at Goodison Park. A victory would extend their lead at the top of the Premier League to nine points over second-placed Arsenal, easing the pain of this shock exit.
Meanwhile, Plymouth’s triumph will go down as one of the great FA Cup giant-killings. Manager Miron Muslic, who was a refugee from war-torn Bosnia as a child, masterminded an unforgettable victory, adding to his side’s impressive third-round win over Premier League opposition Brentford.
Elsewhere, Wolves cruised into the FA Cup fifth round with a 2-0 win over Blackburn, while under-pressure Tottenham boss Ange Postecoglou faced a crucial test in Sunday’s late match against Aston Villa.