The draw for the FA Cup fifth round is set to take place on Monday night at 7.10pm GMT, following a sensational upset in the football world. Plymouth Argyle claimed a remarkable 1-0 victory over Liverpool, marking their first win against the Reds since 1956. The match, held in a charged atmosphere, saw Plymouth employing a tactical low block strategy that proved frustrating for Liverpool from the outset.
Liverpool struggled to break down Plymouth's resolute defense, with their Uruguayan player unable to act as a natural poacher. The home side's low block created significant challenges for Liverpool's attack, limiting their ability to create scoring opportunities. Despite several attempts, including a powerful shot from Diaz that was superbly blocked by Plymouth, Liverpool found themselves unable to penetrate the defensive wall.
Plymouth's defensive prowess was on full display when Sorinola made a breathtaking block to prevent Liverpool from scoring. The tension escalated with Talovierov receiving a booking for a foul on Chiesa, while Plymouth's disciplined backline continued to thwart Liverpool's advances.
“I know we have bigger fish to fry but this is still a poor team selection from Slot,” – David Wood
Liverpool's manager, Arne Slot, faced criticism for his squad selection, which some fans and analysts considered disjointed. The team's lack of cohesion became evident as Plymouth's Tijani came close to increasing their lead, though his finish was wide of the target.
“As a Liverpool fan, I would like to congratulate Plymouth Argyle heartily,” – Rupak Pramanik
Despite Liverpool's struggles, their supporters exhibited sportsmanship, congratulating Plymouth for their impressive performance. The match saw Liverpool making tactical changes with Darwin Nunez replacing Mabaya, yet the Reds remained unable to find the back of the net.
“Great game from Plymouth. They deserve all the credit. But we did not have a very good day. The result is the outcome,” – Arne Slot
As the match progressed, Liverpool's efforts intensified with Elliott releasing Jota down the right after a Plymouth corner. However, Quansah's excellent header from a corner highlighted Plymouth's preparedness and determination.
“I always feel sorry for squad players when several of them are thrown together all at once,” – AJ
The game witnessed moments of high drama when Hazard made two outrageous saves during stoppage time, further denying Liverpool any chance of equalizing. This defensive masterclass contributed significantly to Plymouth's historic triumph.
“Some will say this is a few changes too far from Slot, producing a disjointed Reds performance,” – Ben Wilkinson
Plymouth's striker Bundu received a booking for an aggressive challenge on Nyoni, adding to the competitive spirit of the match. In contrast, Chiesa showcased his skill with two crosses, one of which was an exquisite curling effort to the back post.
The match concluded with jubilation for Plymouth Argyle and disappointment for Liverpool. Reflecting on the game, Joe Pearson remarked on Slot's gamble with the squad selection.
“Usually, I think Arne Slot has pulled all the right levers and made all the right adjustments, but this squad selection was a huge gamble,” – Joe Pearson
Plymouth's Katic expressed his enthusiasm and gratitude towards the team and Hazard's crucial saves.
“I fucking love it. I fucking love it. I realised that when I arrived. Everyone gave 100%. I hated Hazard when I got here because he’s a Celtic guy and I’m a massive Rangers guy, but he gave us this win today,” – Katic