Liverpool’s hunt for a quadruple has ended.
Image credit: Liverpool FC
Plymouth Argyle produced one of the biggest FA Cup upsets in recent history by defeating Premier League leaders Liverpool 1-0 at Home Park on Sunday.
A second-half penalty from Ryan Hardie was enough to send the Championship’s bottom club into the fifth round and end the Reds’ hopes of a historic quadruple.
The defining moment of the match came in the 53rd minute when Harvey Elliott handled the ball inside the penalty area.
Hardie stepped up and calmly slotted the penalty past Caoimhín Kelleher, sending the home crowd into raptures. It was a dream moment for the Scottish striker, who had admitted to feeling emotional before kickoff.
Arne Slot’s Gamble Backfires
With a crucial Merseyside derby against Everton looming, Liverpool manager Arne Slot made ten changes to the side that thrashed Tottenham 4-0 in midweek.
Key players such as Virgil van Dijk, Mohamed Salah, and Dominik Szoboszlai were rested, with young talents like James McConnell and Trey Nyoni getting rare starts.
However, the rotated squad lacked cohesion, struggling to break down a well-organized Plymouth defense.
Plymouth’s Tactical Masterclass
Under head coach Miron Muslic, Plymouth set up in a disciplined 3-4-3 formation, shifting to a compact 5-2-3 when out of possession.
Their defensive resilience frustrated Liverpool throughout the match, and goalkeeper Conor Hazard delivered a series of crucial saves, most notably denying Diogo Jota in stoppage time.
Early Blow for Liverpool
Liverpool’s troubles began early when Joe Gomez, making his first start since recovering from a hamstring injury, was forced off in the 11th minute.
His replacement, Isaac Mabaya, struggled to fill the void as Plymouth gained confidence in attack.
Despite dominating possession, the Reds lacked cutting edge in the final third.
Darwin Núñez, Jota, and Federico Chiesa failed to trouble Hazard consistently, while young midfielder McConnell squandered a late opportunity to equalize.
End of the Quadruple Dream
Liverpool’s defeat means they can no longer achieve a historic quadruple, leaving them to focus on the Premier League, Carabao Cup, and Champions League.
Van Dijk was right to have downplayed Liverpool’s quadruple hopes.
With Arsenal breathing down their necks in the title race, this shock exit could serve as a wake-up call ahead of a demanding schedule.
Historic Moment for Plymouth
This victory marks Plymouth’s first progression to the FA Cup fifth round since the 2006/07 season.
For a club battling relegation in the Championship, this famous win will go down as one of their greatest-ever moments.
Final Score: Plymouth 1-0 Liverpool
- ⚽ Ryan Hardie (53’ pen)
Key Stats:
- Possession: Liverpool 71% – 29% Plymouth
- Shots on Target: Liverpool 3 – 4 Plymouth
- Total Shots: Liverpool 11 – 8 Plymouth
- Pass Accuracy: Liverpool 88% – 67% Plymouth
Plymouth’s fairytale continues, while Liverpool will need to regroup quickly ahead of Wednesday’s Merseyside derby at Goodison Park.