In a stunning FA Cup fourth-round upset, Championship strugglers Plymouth Argyle eliminated Premier League leaders Liverpool with a 1-0 victory at Home Park. This remarkable win ended Liverpool's aspirations for a quadruple this season.
The decisive moment came in the 53rd minute when Liverpool's Harvey Elliott was penalized for a handball inside the box. Plymouth's Ryan Hardie stepped up and confidently converted the ensuing penalty, sending goalkeeper Caoimhín Kelleher the wrong way.
Liverpool's afternoon took an early blow as defender Joe Gomez, recently back from a hamstring injury, was forced off after just 10 minutes due to another injury. This led to a defensive reshuffle, with young right-back Isaac Mabaya coming on as his replacement.
Despite dominating possession, Liverpool struggled to break down Plymouth's resolute defense. Goalkeeper Conor Hazard made several crucial saves, including a notable stop to deny Diogo Jota in the dying moments. Defenders Nikola Katic and Maksym Talovierov were instrumental in repelling Liverpool's attacks, especially during the tense nine minutes of added time.
This victory marks Plymouth's first over Liverpool since 1956 and stands as one of the FA Cup's most memorable giant-killings. The result is even more remarkable considering Plymouth's current position at the bottom of the Championship, highlighting the unpredictable and thrilling nature of football's oldest knockout competition.
Liverpool will now need to regroup quickly as they prepare for the upcoming Merseyside derby against Everton. The loss of Gomez adds to their defensive concerns ahead of this crucial fixture.
