Plymouth Argyle, the bottom-placed team in the Championship, caused an unprecedented shock in the fourth round of the FA Cup on Sunday afternoon. In a packed Home Park, The Pilgrims defeated Liverpool 1-0 thanks to a penalty from Scottish striker Ryan Hardie.
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Plymouth Argyle, the bottom-placed team in the Championship, delivered one of the most shocking upsets in recent FA Cup history, knocking Liverpool out of the competition with a dramatic 1-0 victory at a sold-out Home Park.
The match was a perfect example of what makes the FA Cup so special an underdog rising against the odds, fueled by passion, discipline, and sheer determination. Scottish striker Ryan Hardie was the hero of the afternoon, converting a penalty early in the second half to send the home fans into raptures, while Plymouth’s heroic defensive display ensured their famous triumph would be etched into club folklore forever.
Arne Slot, facing a congested fixture list in the coming weeks, opted for a heavily rotated Liverpool squad, making multiple changes to his starting lineup. With Premier League and European commitments looming, the Dutch manager rested key players, including Virgil van Dijk, Ryan Gravenberch, and Cody Gakpo, handing opportunities to some of Liverpool’s younger talents. The midfield duo of Trey Nyoni and James McConnell, whose combined shirt numbers totaled an astonishing 151, emphasized just how much of an experimental side Liverpool fielded. While it was a gamble that might have worked against lower-tier opposition in less intense circumstances, it soon became clear that Plymouth was in no mood to play the role of a passive underdog.
Despite the presence of some experienced players in the lineup, Liverpool struggled from the start. Joe Gomez, one of the few senior figures in the team, suffered an early injury setback, forcing an unwanted change that disrupted Slot’s game plan. His departure further weakened Liverpool’s defensive stability, and the Reds never fully settled into a rhythm. Luis Díaz, expected to be a difference-maker in attack, was virtually invisible, failing to influence the game in any meaningful way. Federico Chiesa, playing on an unforgiving pitch that made slick passing difficult, endured a frustrating afternoon as well, constantly dispossessed or misfiring in key moments. It was a stark reminder that the FA Cup can often turn into a battle of willpower rather than a showcase of technical brilliance.
The first half was a war of attrition, with Liverpool controlling possession but creating very few clear chances. Plymouth, backed by a raucous crowd sensing the potential for history, defended with immense discipline. Every block, every clearance, every successful tackle was met with deafening cheers, reinforcing the belief that an upset was truly possible. Slot, growing visibly frustrated on the touchline, saw his team go into halftime still locked in a goalless battle, with the Reds unable to break through Plymouth’s deep defensive line.
The moment that changed everything arrived just five minutes after the restart. Liverpool, desperate to impose themselves, pushed forward aggressively, but a moment of defensive panic led to Harvey Elliott handling the ball inside the box. The referee had no hesitation in pointing to the penalty spot. Home Park erupted with anticipation as Ryan Hardie stepped up to take the kick. The Scottish striker kept his composure and sent the ball past Caoimhin Kelleher, delivering a goal that sent shockwaves through the stadium and beyond. Plymouth was leading Liverpool in the FA Cup. The impossible was now within reach.
Slot immediately responded by making changes, introducing Darwin Núñez in an attempt to rescue the situation. The Uruguayan, who had been expected to rest for the afternoon, was suddenly thrust into action as Liverpool desperately sought a way back into the game. But despite the presence of Núñez, Plymouth refused to be intimidated. Every Liverpool attack was met with fearless resistance. Defenders threw their bodies in the way of shots, midfielders tracked back relentlessly, and the home side’s sheer collective effort made life miserable for the visitors.
Plymouth had a golden opportunity to seal the game when Hardie found himself with a clear sight on goal, but Kelleher produced a stunning reflex save to keep Liverpool’s hopes alive. It was a moment that could have buried the Reds entirely, but instead, it ensured that the final minutes of the match would be played under immense tension. Liverpool threw everything forward in a desperate attempt to equalize, launching attack after attack, but Plymouth’s defensive wall stood firm. When McConnell finally found a rare opening, his shot sailed half a meter wide, further draining Liverpool’s hopes.
The pressure intensified in the nine minutes of added time, with Liverpool pinning Plymouth deep in their own half. The defining moment came when Diogo Jota unleashed a powerful strike that seemed destined for the back of the net, only for Plymouth’s goalkeeper Conor Hazard to produce a phenomenal save, pushing the ball away in what will go down as one of the greatest moments in the club’s history.
As the clock ticked past the 100th minute, the referee’s whistle finally blew, unleashing an explosion of celebrations at Home Park. Players collapsed to the ground in exhaustion, while the stands erupted with fans who had just witnessed one of the greatest nights in Plymouth Argyle’s history. For Arne Slot, it was his first true humiliation in English football, a reminder that the FA Cup does not discriminate between giants and underdogs when the spirit of competition takes over. For Plymouth, this was more than just a win it was a moment that will be talked about for decades, a match that will be remembered in every pub and gathering in the coastal town as the day they took down Liverpool in the FA Cup.
Updated: 05:31, 9 Feb 2025
