Plymouth Argyle 1-0 Liverpool: Premier League leaders stunned in huge FA Cup upset

The Championship's bottom side stopped the Reds from scoring for just the third time this season, with Liverpool's hopes of a potential quadruple cut short.

Liverpool had made 10 changes from their last Premier League outing, and they struggled to find their rhythm, with Plymouth determined to dig in deep to hold their visitors at bay.

It took the Reds 36 minutes to have their first shot on target in the game, with James McConnell's deflected shot forcing Conor Hazard down low to his left.

Plymouth started the second half with intent though, and got their rewards when Darko Gyabi, with his back to goal, flicked the ball over his head and against the reaching arm of Harvey Elliott, with the referee pointing straight to the spot.

Hardie coolly stepped up from 12 yards, drilling it into the bottom-left corner of the net as Caoimhin Kelleher dived the wrong way, and sending the home fans into raptures.

The striker could have made it sure seven minutes later, as Nikola Katic nodded down into the box. Kostas Tsimikas missed his clearance, but Kelleher was there to tip Hardie's half-volley onto the inside of the post.

Plymouth dug in deep, putting on an exemplary defensive display as Liverpool pushed for an equaliser. McConnell fired wide of an empty net before Hazard made two brilliant late saves, keeping out Diogo Jota's volley and tipping Darwin Nunez's late header.

ARGYLE BEAT THE PREMIER LEAGUE LEADERS! pic.twitter.com/Pa7ebZPNkb

— Plymouth Argyle FC (@Argyle) February 9, 2025

Only thrice before had the Premier League leaders been knocked out of the FA Cup by a side outside the top-flight, with Plymouth joining the likes of Leeds United, Bradford City and Wigan Athletic.

It is just the fifth time that the Pilgrims have reached the FA Cup fifth round, and the first since 2006-07, ending a run of four consecutive fourth-round exits.

Liverpool have suffered just a fourth defeat under Arne Slot. In fact, prior to this game, the Reds were unbeaten in eight games against Plymouth in all competitions (W5 D3), a run that dated back to February 2016 (4-0).