In a surprising turn of events, Premier League leaders Liverpool were ousted from the FA Cup by second-tier side Plymouth Argyle, who secured a narrow 1-0 victory at Home Park on Sunday. This unexpected result dashed Liverpool's dreams of achieving a quadruple title this season.
The decisive moment came in the 53rd minute when Plymouth were awarded a penalty following a handball by Liverpool midfielder Harvey Elliott. Ryan Hardie stepped up and calmly sent goalkeeper Caoimhin Kelleher the wrong way to give Plymouth the lead.
\"We all came here today with a dream and we have done it. I don't know what to say,\" Hardie told ITV. \"There is obviously a lot of pressure. It is about picking your side, and I committed to it.\"
Liverpool entered the match with significant changes, resting key players like Mohamed Salah, Virgil van Dijk, Alisson Becker, and Alexis Mac Allister ahead of the upcoming Merseyside derby against Everton. Additionally, an early injury forced defender Joe Gomez to leave the pitch, further affecting Liverpool's performance.
The Reds struggled to create chances, managing just one shot on target in the first half. Plymouth's goalkeeper Conor Hazard made crucial saves, including a diving stop in the 36th minute to deny James McConnell's long-range effort.
As the game progressed, Plymouth gained confidence and controlled the tempo. Conor Hazard became the hero for the hosts by brilliantly saving Diogo Jota's volley in added time, as well as a header from Darwin Nunez. \"At the end of the day, it is my job. So I am delighted with that,\" Hazard remarked about his game-saving performances.
Liverpool's early exit from the FA Cup marks a significant setback for the team, which had been on track for multiple trophies this season, including a possible undefeated run in the UEFA Champions League's last 16 and a spot in the League Cup final.
Reference(s):
cgtn.com
