Plymouth Argyle Football Club celebrating a 1-0 victory over the on form Liverpool. Image : Plymouth Argyle via X
(The Post News)- Plymouth Argyle defeated Liverpool in the FA Cup on Sunday, ending Liverpool’s hopes of winning a quadruple. After defeating the Reds 1-0 since 1956, the Pilgrims created history. Ryan Hardie’s penalty in the second half sealed Plymouth’s historic surprise at Home Park, and Arne Slot’s decision to start a depleted Liverpool squad ultimately backfired.
Slot rested several players, including Cody Gakpo, Andrew Robertson, Mohamed Salah, and Virgil van Dijk, from the squad that crushed Tottenham 4-0 in the second leg of the League Cup semi-final on Thursday. It was an uncommon mistake by the former Feyenoord manager in a surprisingly successful first season as Liverpool’s manager.
The Premier League leaders had failed to score under Slot for just the third time this season, as Liverpool suffered their fourth loss across all competitions. It was only the fourth occasion a lower-level club had beaten a Premier League champion out of the FA Cup.
Liverpool now has to recover from their awful journey to the west country in time for Wednesday’s last Merseyside derby against Everton at Goodison Park. Liverpool doesn’t need to worry because a victory over Everton will put them nine points ahead of Arsenal, who are currently in second position in the title race. The Reds will play Newcastle in the League Cup final in March and are also guaranteed a spot in the Champions League last 16.
Slot stated in a post-match interview that the day was not going well for them. “The outcome is something like this. I can’t claim that the boys didn’t fight; both teams hardly had a chance before the penalty was awarded,” said the coach. He added, “It is up to one instant in a game like this. They deserved that moment, and it was for them.”
Miron Muslic, who was a refugee from war-torn Bosnia as a child, had little trouble leading Argyle to a historic victory over Liverpool while battling to get Plymouth off the bottom of the Championship. Muslic was forced to relocate to Austria at the age of nine after fleeing his hometown of Bihac when it was besieged by Serbian forces in 1992. Muslic was signed by Plymouth in January to replace the fired Wayne Rooney.
Although Plymouth had already defeated Brentford of the Premier League in the third round, their triumph over West Brom was their first league win since November. Given the situation, Plymouth’s outstanding performance will go down as one of the biggest FA Cup upsets ever.
When Joe Gomez went off hurt early in the first half, Liverpool’s already sluggish lineup became even more vulnerable in the wintry Devon coast sun. Liverpool didn’t manage to have a shot on goal until the 36th minute, when Conor Hazard stopped James McConnell’s long-range attempt.
Even before Harvey Elliott’s outstretched arm stopped Darko Gyabi’s overhead kick in the 54th minute, Slot’s frustrated look encapsulated Liverpool’s sluggishness. Caoimhin Kelleher was sent off in the incorrect direction by Hardie, who maintained his composure despite the obvious penalty.
Home Park erupted in delight of an incredible outcome as Hazard made great saves to deny Diogo Jota and Darwin Nunez in stoppage time. Due to the heroics of the goalie, Portsmouth defeated Liverpool for the first time since 1956, ending their hopes of winning the FA Cup.
Wolves easily advanced to the fifth round after defeating second-tier Blackburn 2-0 thanks to two goals in 39 seconds. Vitor Pereira’s team, who are currently only two points above the bottom three in the English top flight, received a much-needed respite from the struggle to stay in the Premier League.
Joao Gomes’ effort beat Balazs Toth’s feeble attempt at a stop in the 33rd minute to give Wolves, who haven’t advanced to the FA Cup final since they last won the tournament in 1960, the lead. Nelson Semedo’s ball
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