Plymouth exploded the biggest surprise in the 2025 FA Cup by eliminating Liverpool from the fourth round after defeating them 1-0.
Plymouth hosted the Reds at Home Park Stadium, in a match that coach Arne Slot decided to play with the substitute players.
Mohamed Salah did not participate in the match and was not on the list, as Slot wanted to rest him, as did other players such as Alexis Mac Allister, Virgil van Dijk and Trent Alexander Arnold.
But it seems that Slot’s calculations were not correct that the match would be easy and within reach, as Plymouth, who are at the bottom of the second division (English Championship League), surprised them and presented a very wonderful match.
In the 53rd minute, the only goal of the match came through Ryan Hardy from a penalty kick.
WOW 😱
Ryan Hardie scores from the spot to put @Argyle ahead against Liverpool 🤯
Just look at the celebrations!#EmiratesFACup pic.twitter.com/FdHSr8tcCW
— Emirates FA Cup (@EmiratesFACup) February 9, 2025
Liverpool tried to come back in the match and wasted a barrage of opportunities, so Plymouth snatched the ticket to the next round and exploded a surprise that was not expected.
In practice, losing the FA Cup and leaving Liverpool early is not a major sign of failure given what the team has been offering this season.
The Reds are leading the Premier League, and also topped their Champions League group and qualified directly for the round of 16, in addition to reaching the Carabao Cup final.
It remains to be noted that Plymouth is the second club this season to succeed in defeating Liverpool after Nottingham Forest in the Premier League.
