Liverpool suffered a shocking exit from the FA Cup after a 1-0 defeat to Plymouth Argyle in the fourth round, marking one of the biggest upsets of the competition so far.
Despite being overwhelming favorites against a struggling Plymouth side sitting near the bottom of the EFL Championship, Arne Slot’s heavily rotated squad failed to impose itself at Home Park.
Costly Changes and Missed Opportunities
With several key players missing—including Mohamed Salah, Virgil van Dijk, Alexis Mac Allister, and Ryan Gravenberch—Liverpool’s reshuffled lineup lacked fluency, particularly in midfield and defense. The hosts seized the opportunity, capitalizing on their opponents’ lack of cohesion.
The decisive moment came early in the second half when Darko Gyabi’s flicked pass struck Harvey Elliott’s arm inside the box, prompting the referee to award a penalty. Ryan Hardie stepped up and calmly slotted the spot-kick past Caoimhin Kelleher in the 53rd minute, sending the home fans into celebration.
Liverpool’s Attack Fails to Deliver
Despite boasting an attack featuring Federico Chiesa, Diogo Jota, and Luis Díaz, Liverpool struggled to break down a Plymouth defense that had conceded the most goals in the Championship this season. The Reds dominated possession but lacked cutting edge, with their best chances coming from half-hearted efforts that Plymouth’s goalkeeper and defense managed to withstand.
A Second Recent Setback for Slot’s Squad
This defeat marks Liverpool’s first cup exit of the season, coming just weeks after their 2-1 loss to PSV Eindhoven in the final Champions League group-stage game—though that result had no impact, as Liverpool had already qualified for the knockout rounds.
It also mirrors their fourth-round elimination in the 2022-23 FA Cup, when they were knocked out by Brighton in a similarly disappointing fashion.
Liverpool Still in Contention on Multiple Fronts
Despite the FA Cup setback, Liverpool remain contenders across multiple competitions. They have secured a place in the Carabao Cup final, advanced to the Champions League round of 16, and currently lead the Premier League by six points with a game in hand.
Slot will now look to regroup and refocus as Liverpool push for silverware on other fronts.
