S Poddar
Plymouth Argyle delivered a stunning FA Cup upset, toppling Premier League leaders Liverpool in front of an electrifying crowd at Home Park. The Championship’s bottom-placed side defied the odds, etching their name into cup folklore with a performance full of grit, resilience, and belief.
Liverpool manager Arne Slot, who had guided his team to the Carabao Cup final just days earlier, made sweeping changes—10 in total—from the side that dismantled Tottenham. The gamble backfired spectacularly as Plymouth seized the opportunity to claim a memorable victory and secure their place in the fifth round.
The contest was largely scrappy in the first half, but the game burst into life eight minutes after the break when Plymouth were awarded a penalty following Harvey Elliott’s handball. Ryan Hardie stepped up and emphatically dispatched the spot-kick, igniting euphoric celebrations among the home faithful.
Hardie nearly doubled his tally moments later, forcing a fine save from Liverpool goalkeeper Caoimhin Kelleher, who managed to tip his shot onto the post. As the clock ticked down, Liverpool cranked up the pressure, with substitute Darwin Nunez and Diogo Jota both denied by outstanding saves from Plymouth keeper Conor Hazard. The home side, however, held firm, seeing out a famous triumph that will live long in the memory of their supporters.
When the final whistle blew, Home Park erupted in scenes of unfiltered joy. The Devonport End, packed with Plymouth’s passionate fans, was a wall of noise as players and supporters celebrated a historic night. It was a moment of pure magic for Plymouth and their new manager Miron Muslic, who has quickly endeared himself to the ‘Green Army’ since taking charge.
The sense of belief was evident from the moment the Liverpool team sheet was revealed. With key figures like Mohamed Salah and Virgil van Dijk absent, Plymouth sensed an opportunity and capitalized in dramatic fashion. They turned the game into a battle, disrupting Liverpool’s rhythm and ensuring the Premier League side never found their usual fluency.
Elliott’s handball proved to be the decisive turning point, gifting Plymouth a golden chance to take the lead. Hardie, who had previously suffered the heartbreak of a missed FA Cup penalty, made no mistake this time, burying his effort with confidence and conviction. From that moment on, Plymouth dug deep, defending with determination and relying on the heroics of Hazard to keep Liverpool at bay.
For all of Liverpool’s attacking firepower—featuring the likes of Jota, Luis Diaz, and Federico Chiesa—there was no way past Plymouth’s resolute defense. In the final frantic moments, Hazard produced a breathtaking double save to deny Jota and Nunez, ensuring the underdogs completed one of the greatest shocks of the competition.
While survival in the Championship remains Plymouth’s primary focus, this result serves as a timely reminder of the FA Cup’s enduring magic. Victories like these not only boost morale but also fuel belief that they can defy expectations and secure their place in England’s second tier.
This was an afternoon to forget for Liverpool. Slot has had a dream start since taking over from Jurgen Klopp, seeing his side reach the top of the Premier League, a domestic cup final, and the knockout stages of the Champions League. However, he got it all wrong today.
Making wholesale changes was a bold move, and the decision to leave Van Dijk and Salah out of the squad entirely raised eyebrows. In hindsight, Slot may regret not having his talismanic forward available as Liverpool desperately sought an equalizer in the closing stages.
Despite the presence of experienced internationals, including Jota, Diaz, Elliott, Wataru Endo, and Kostas Tsimikas, Liverpool’s performance fell flat. Their younger players struggled to cope with the intensity of the occasion, failing to rise to the challenge in a hostile environment.
As Liverpool shift their attention back to their Premier League title ambitions, this defeat serves as a stark reminder that no fixture in the FA Cup can be taken lightly. Their next test comes in the form of the Merseyside derby against Everton, but this unexpected setback will linger as a blemish on Slot’s otherwise impressive tenure.
It was one to savour for Plymouth, though, because it reflected the very nature of the FA Cup: dreams came true and giants fell. And with their own momentum growing and belief building, they step forward into the next round hoping to take the fairytale ride a bit further.
