The FA Cup has a long history of unforgettable upsets, and Plymouth Argyle added another chapter to that legacy. In front of a roaring Home Park crowd, the Championship’s bottom club pulled off a monumental shock, sending Premier League leaders Liverpool crashing out in the fourth round.
A Night to Remember for the Green Army
Liverpool boss Arne Slot made sweeping changes to his squad following their dominant Carabao Cup semi-final victory over Tottenham, and it proved to be a costly gamble. Plymouth, sensing their opportunity, seized the moment with an intensity that rattled the Reds from the start.
The game remained a scrappy contest until the 53rd minute when the breakthrough came. Liverpool’s Harvey Elliott was penalized for a handball inside the box, gifting Plymouth a golden opportunity. Ryan Hardie stepped up and dispatched a ruthless penalty, sending Home Park into a frenzy.
Hardie almost doubled the lead minutes later, forcing a brilliant save from Liverpool’s goalkeeper, Caoimhin Kelleher, as his shot ricocheted off the post. From that moment on, the hosts defended resolutely, withstanding wave after wave of Liverpool attacks.
Hazard’s Heroics and a Historic Victory
As Liverpool pushed for an equalizer, Plymouth’s keeper Conor Hazard emerged as the hero. He produced two breathtaking saves in the dying minutes—first denying Diogo Jota from close range, before pulling off a miraculous stop to keep out Darwin Nunez’s header.
The final whistle sparked wild celebrations, with Plymouth’s new manager, Miron Muslic, cementing his place in club folklore. The ‘Green Army’ erupted as the underdogs sent one of Europe’s biggest clubs packing.
Slot’s Gamble Backfires in Humbling FA Cup Exit
Arne Slot’s tenure at Liverpool has been nearly flawless—leading the club to the top of the Premier League, securing a Carabao Cup final spot, and cruising into the last 16 of the Champions League. But this night in Plymouth will haunt him.
Fielding a side with 10 changes, including the absence of stars like Mohamed Salah and Virgil van Dijk, Slot underestimated the hunger and grit of his Championship opponents. Despite having elite talent on the pitch—Luis Diaz, Jota, and Federico Chiesa among them—Liverpool’s makeshift lineup failed to rise to the occasion.
The FA Cup dream is over for Liverpool, but they now turn their focus back to the Premier League, with a crucial Merseyside derby against Everton on the horizon. However, the shock of this defeat will linger as a major blemish on Slot’s promising start at Anfield.
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Was this one of the greatest FA Cup upsets in recent history? Should Slot have fielded a stronger team? And can Plymouth use this momentum to boost their fight for Championship survival? Let’s discuss this unforgettable FA Cup classic.