Arne Slot’s transition into Liverpool’s managerial hot seat seemed seamless, but a humbling FA Cup exit at the hands of Championship strugglers Plymouth Argyle served as a harsh reality check. On a chaotic afternoon in Devon, Slot learned a fundamental lesson—never underestimate the magic of the FA Cup.
Plymouth, rock-bottom in the Championship, delivered a stunning fourth-round victory, reminding the football world why the competition remains special. Slot, who has enjoyed a stellar start at Anfield, made his first major misstep, underestimating the challenge by making 10 changes to his squad.
Liverpool had just secured a place in the Carabao Cup final after dismantling Tottenham, and with a crucial Merseyside derby against Everton looming, Slot prioritized other competitions. However, his decision backfired spectacularly, leaving Liverpool red-faced.
Despite fielding experienced players like Luis Díaz, Diogo Jota, and Federico Chiesa in attack, Liverpool looked uninspired. The trio failed to rise to the occasion, treating the match as an obligation rather than a historic cup tie.
Further scrutiny falls on Slot’s bench selections—no Mohamed Salah, Virgil van Dijk, Ryan Gravenberch, Alex Mac Allister, Dominik Szoboszlai, Ibrahima Konaté, Cody Gakpo, or Andrew Robertson in reserve. It was a gamble that Liverpool paid for in spectacular fashion.
The nightmare began early when captain Joe Gomez limped off, replaced by 20-year-old Isaac Mabaya. The senior players struggled, leaving young talents like Trey Nyoni exposed, playing into Plymouth’s hands.
Liverpool showed late urgency, but Plymouth’s goalkeeper Conor Hazard produced outstanding saves to deny Jota and substitute Darwin Núñez. The decisive blow came in the 52nd minute when Harvey Elliott’s handball gifted Plymouth a penalty, ruthlessly converted by Ryan Hardie.
New Argyle boss Miron Muslic, revitalizing a side that had won just once in three months, orchestrated a defensive masterclass. Nikola Katić and Maksym Talovierov stood firm, while Home Park erupted into a deafening cauldron of celebration.
Even nine minutes of stoppage time couldn’t shake Plymouth’s resolve. The underdogs held firm, sealing one of the FA Cup’s great upsets. Katić even lost a tooth in the process—an apt symbol of the grit and sacrifice Muslic demands in their fight for survival.
Slot accepted the defeat with grace, stating: “Plymouth deserve all credit. They had a good game plan, and we didn’t have a good day. We expected more from ourselves, but we have to acknowledge their performance. It hurts all of us.”
Plymouth became the first lower-league side to knock out a Premier League leader since Wigan defeated Manchester City in 2018. The last time Liverpool suffered such an FA Cup humiliation while topping the league was in 1984, against Brighton.
A stark reminder—FA Cup fairy tales are still very much alive.
Source: Swifteradio.com
