Plymouth Argyle battled to a famous FA Cup victory as a penalty from Ryan Hardie gave the Pilgrims a 1-0 win over Liverpool on Sunday.
Both sides contested a tense first half in which the visitors barely threatened and lost Joe Gomez to injury, and the hosts managed to pounce on their opportunity after the break when Harvey Elliott handled in the box, with Ryan Hardie calmly converting after a lengthy pause.
Miron Muslic’s side continued to have chances but it was Liverpool who piled on the late pressure, with the Reds coming close through James McConnell, Darwin Nunez and Diogo Jota.
Plymouth ‘keeper Hazard was a late hero after two brilliant saves during the nine minutes of added time, the first from Jota’s half-volley and the second as he tipped over from a point-blank Nunez header.
And moments after keeping his side in the lead, the final whistle went on a game that may well become known as a type of FA Cup classic, as the Championship’s bottom club knocked out the side at the top of the Premier League.
Follow all the FA Cup action with our live blog below:
Plymouth Argyle vs Liverpool LIVE
- Plymouth XI: Plymouth XI: Hazard; Maxi, Katic, Pleguezuelo; Sorinola, Randell, Gyabi, Puchacz; Bundu, Wright; Hardie.
- Liverpool XI: Kelleher; McConnell, Quansah Gomez, Tsimikas; Nyoni, Endo, Elliott ; Chiesa, Jota, Diaz
- 11' SUB! Joe Gomez is forced off early with injury and replaced by 20-year-old Isaac Mabaya [PLY 0-0 LIV]
- 53' GOAL! Hardie converts penalty to stun Reds after Elliott punished for handball [PLY 1-0 LIV]
- 62' OFF THE POST! Kelleher deflects Hardie's low effort off the woodwork [PLY 1-0 LIV]
Liverpool’s quadruple hopes ended by Plymouth in stunning FA Cup upset
17:09 , Chris WilsonLiverpool’s hopes of a historic quadruple were stunningly ended by Plymouth Argyle in a monumental FA Cup upset.
Ryan Hardie’s penalty, after Harvey Elliott handled, was enough to clinch a famous win for the Championship strugglers.
After making nine changes, days after advancing to the Carabao Cup final, Arne Slot’s side have exited the FA Cup in just their fourth overall defeat of an excellent season.
Liverpool’s quadruple hopes ended by Plymouth in stunning FA Cup upset
FULL-TIME! Plymouth Argyle 1-0 Liverpool
17:45 , Chris Wilson
Slot says Plymouth deserved the win
17:40 , Chris WilsonArne Slot is speaking to ITV now, and he praises Plymouth, saying it was a “great game” from them, with a “good game plan”.
“They deserve all the credit. We were not having a very good day,” he says.
“I don’t think I can say the boys didn’t fight. The game was decided by a penalty. In a game like this where two teams have hardly any chances it’s up to one moment, and that moment was for them. Like I said they deserved it.”
More from Muslic
17:32 , Chris WilsonHere’s more from Plymouth manager Miron Muslic, who says that his side were structured well.
“It’s easier to defend without gaps, then we just filled it with intensity and desire, heart, clearances, the saves in the end, you need this and a bit of luck, we had everything,” he tells ITV.
“100 percent, I’m convinced if you can structure, organise and bring passion, you’re almost there, we can collect points, it’s magical,” he adds.
“Enjoy, we’re part of Argyle history and we have to go again on Wednesday and we will.
“It’s a big day for all of us, we deserve all of this, if you can beat Liverpool, don’t get me wrong, you need luck, but we had it. We had it in the Home Park, something very important, to challenge and I think we’re ready.
“I don’t care who we play next, [Man Utd] are more than welcome!], he adds.
When is the FA Cup fifth round draw?
17:24 , Chris WilsonWith that result, Plymouth and their fans will be looking towards tomorrow’s draw...
Top-flight leaders Liverpool suffered a stunning defeat against Plymouthon Sunday, with their quadruple hopes dashed in unexpected fashion. Aston Villa take on Tottenham on Sunday evening, with the fourth round wrapping up on Tuesday night (11 February) as League One side Exeter City face high flying Nottingham Forest.
The draw for the fifth round of the FA Cup will take place on Monday, 10 February at 7.10pm, with the ties themselves happening over the weekend of 1 March.
When is the FA Cup fifth round draw? Date, start time, channel and how to watch
Miron Muslic reacts after shock upset over Liverpool
17:19 , Jack Rathborn“Speechless, they told me I was eloquent, it’s a big moment for us in our history, showing this performance, the desire and joy to defend against Liverpool, they did fantastic,” Miron Muslic said.
“It’s about clarity and structure, not changing things quickly, organise this team, fill them with intensity and be hard to beat, we showed it this afternoon.
“A big moment, I’ll realise this leaving the stadium, then a moment to breathe and realise, it’s the game we love, I want to enjoy.”
Plymouth relish famous FA Cup upset over Premier League leaders Liverpool
17:14 , Jack Rathborn
Plymouth players react
17:13 , Chris WilsonHardie and Wright are the first to speak to ITV.
The goalscorer says his job was to “kick the ball in the net and it's one-nil”.
“There's a lot of pressure, I had a lot of practice, it's [about] picking your side and committing to it,” he added.
Wright easy that he “was starting to get nervous, but we kept the lead”.
“It’s insane, a dream come true to play them and beat them, I’ll remember it forever,” he adds.
Dejected Liverpool endure shock loss to Plymouth
17:12 , Jack Rathborn
FULL-TIME! Plymouth Argyle 1-0 Liverpool
17:01 , Chris Wilson100 mins
From the corner, Kelleher heads into Hazard’s gloves and the referee blows the final whistle!
It’s a famous win for the side who are bottom of the Championship!
Plymouth Argyle 1-0 Liverpool
17:00 , Chris Wilson99 mins
CLOSE! How has this stayed out?!
Kelleher has come up for the free-kick. Tsimikas swings it in, it comes all the way across goal, Elliott heads it back across goal, Nunez heads on target but Hazard tips it over!
Plymouth Argyle 1-0 Liverpool
16:58 , Chris Wilson98 mins
Plymouth players are barely even looking for a teammate when they pick the ball up, as Sorinola rifles clear. He’s unable to come off as the tea have used their three separate substitution windows.
Talovierov is booked for a late challenge, and the visitors will have another chance to swing a dangerous ball in.
Plymouth Argyle 1-0 Liverpool
16:56 , Chris Wilson97 mins
Chiesa floats in a cross that goes straight out of play, and Home Park is briefly bouncing. There’s still plenty of time left in this one, though.
Plymouth Argyle 1-0 Liverpool
16:56 , Chris Wilson96 mins
It’s tense at Home Park, as you’d expect. Liverpool with all the ball.
Diaz’s cross comes across to Chiesa, who sees a shot blocked before being briefly dispossessed.
Plymouth Argyle 1-0 Liverpool
16:54 , Chris Wilson95 mins
It’s probably a save he’d expect to make, but it was great reactions from Hazard nonetheless.
A through ball into the path of Diaz goes out for a goal kick and the hosts have a brief reprieve.
Plymouth Argyle 1-0 Liverpool
16:53 , Chris Wilson94 mins
SAVE! What a save that is! It’s a great snapshot from Jota, as the ball drops to him near the edge of the box and he just swivels to hit a half-volley, but Hazard flies across to palm it away!
Plymouth Argyle 1-0 Liverpool
16:52 , Chris Wilson93 mins
Sorinola is struggling at the moment, and has been left high up the pitch.
Plymouth attack again and Wright breaks down the right, hanging in a great cross that Tijani can only head right at Elliott.
Plymouth Argyle 1-0 Liverpool
16:51 , Chris Wilson91 mins
There’ll be NINE minutes of added time here. That is surprising!
Plymouth Argyle 1-0 Liverpool
16:50 , Chris Wilson90 mins
What a chance! Liverpool play a long ball forward and there’s confusion between Hazard and Katic, with the ‘keeper coming well off his line to collect before the defender heads it away. It bounces straight to McConnell, who has plenty of the goal to aim at, but he fires wide with Hard off his line!
Not the easiest chance for the youngster.
Plymouth Argyle 1-0 Liverpool
16:49 , Chris Wilson89 mins
There should be a decent chunk of added time here, so Plymouth may still have to hold on for six or seven minutes.
Plymouth Argyle 1-0 Liverpool
16:48 , Chris Wilson88 mins
Liverpool are applying plenty of pressure as the match enter the final few minutes, but it hasn’t clicked yet as the cross from the right is a little too high for Chiesa.
Plymouth Argyle 1-0 Liverpool
16:47 , Chris Wilson87 mins
More last-ditch defending from the hosts as Sorinola and Talovierov combine to stop Tsimikas, at the cost of a corner.
From the set-piece, Katic heads away again.
Plymouth Argyle 1-0 Liverpool
16:45 , Chris Wilson85 mins
Elliot slides in a great disguised pass into the path of Nunez, but the Uruguayan slices his shot wide. It looks like it took a deflection but the referee gives the goal kick.
Plymouth Argyle 1-0 Liverpool
16:44 , Chris Wilson84 mins
A bit of late pressure here from the host as Obafemi, Wright and Tijani lead the charge, but they can’t quite click.
Liverpool counter and Jota breaks into the box, firing in a perfect cross between the ‘keeper and defenders, but Nunez has misread the ball in.
Plymouth Argyle 1-0 Liverpool
16:42 , Chris Wilson83 mins
More good defending from Katic, who bravely heads clear before reading the cross well to put it out for a corner, and then heads away from the set-piece.
Liverpool come again though, and Chiesa plays a lovely ball to the far post that Quansah is just unable to get clean contact with.
Plymouth Argyle 1-0 Liverpool
16:41 , Chris Wilson82 mins
There’s a good overlap from Chiesa and Tsimikas but the cross is eventually blocked.
Plymouth make another change, as goalscorer Ryan Hardie makes way for Michael Obafemi.
Plymouth Argyle 1-0 Liverpool
16:39 , Chris Wilson80 mins
It’s a good angle for a cross from Tsimikas. He swings it in but there’s too much on it, and it’s straight into the gloves of Hazard.
Plymouth Argyle 1-0 Liverpool
16:38 , Chris Wilson78 mins
Plymouth win a rare corner as we approach the final 10 minutes of the match.
From the set-piece, Quanah heads away well before Liverpool regain possession, and Sorinola is booked for bringing down Jota. It’s a dangerous position for a Liverpool free-kick, on the right wing.
Plymouth Argyle 1-0 Liverpool
16:36 , Chris Wilson77 mins
One change for Liverpool as Trey Nyoni makes way for Trent Kone-Doherty.
Jota starts a Liverpool counter and nearly slides in the perfect through ball to Nunez, but Sorinola clears.
Plymouth Argyle 1-0 Liverpool
16:34 , Chris Wilson76 mins
Liverpool are turning the screw now, with McConnell getting free in the box and seeing his cross put behind for a corner.
From the set-piece, Katic heads clear.
Plymouth Argyle 1-0 Liverpool
16:34 , Chris Wilson74 mins
CLOSE! Liverpool’s best chance and some brilliant defending.
Chiesa picks the ball up on the right and spots the diagonal run of Diaz. He plays an inch-perfect pass into the Colombian’s path, but just as it looks like he’s set to tap in for 1-1, Sorinola slides in to block the shot.
Plymouth Argyle 1-0 Liverpool
16:32 , Chris Wilson73 mins
Plymouth make two changes as Bundu and Randell come off for Malachi Boateng and Muhamed Tijani.
Plymouth Argyle 1-0 Liverpool
16:31 , Chris Wilson72 mins
Plymouth aren’t sitting back to defend their lead (at the moment anyway). Bundu starts another attack as he drops back to receive it, though there is nobody there to meet the eventual cross from Wright.
Plymouth Argyle 1-0 Liverpool
16:29 , Chris Wilson70 mins
Now Bundu is booked after a late challenge on Nyoni deep into the Liverpool half.
Ryan Hardie sparks wild Plymouth Argyle celebrations against Liverpool
16:28
Plymouth Argyle 1-0 Liverpool
16:28 , Chris Wilson69 mins
Liverpool still have just over 20 minutes to salvage this match, though they’ve offered precious little in attack so far, with Plymouth having the best chance since their opening goal too.
Plymouth Argyle 1-0 Liverpool
16:26 , Chris Wilson67 mins
Pleguezuelo does come off, and Victor Palsson comes on in his place.
Plymouth Argyle 1-0 Liverpool
16:25 , Chris Wilson66 mins
It looks like Plymouth will be forced into a change now as Pleguezuelo doesn’t seem like he can carry on.
Plymouth Argyle 1-0 Liverpool
16:23 , Chris Wilson64 mins
More pressure from the hosts as Bundu is chasing Endo as the midfielder sweeps to cover his defenders, but the Liverpool man manages to head back to Kelleher.
Plymouth Argyle 1-0 Liverpool
16:22 , Chris Wilson61 mins
CLOSE! Great play from both sides!
Plymouth win a free-kick from the left and they launch in a diagonal cross that Katic heads towards goal. It takes a deflection into the path of Hardie, who fires a low shot towards the near post, and Kelleher does brilliantly to knock it onto his post, saving with the bottom of his foot.
Plymouth Argyle 1-0 Liverpool
16:1960 mins
Good work from McConnell, who’s moved back to right-back, as he dispossesses Wright and then wins a free-kick with his side under pressure.
Plymouth Argyle 1-0 Liverpool
16:18 , Chris Wilson59 mins
The first change of the match comes as Mabaya – who made his debut in coming on for Gomez – is replaced by Darwin Nunez.
Plymouth Argyle 1-0 Liverpool
16:17 , Chris Wilson58 mins
Arne Slot is having plenty of words with his players as Pleguezuelo is receiving treatment.
Plymouth Argyle 1-0 Liverpool
16:16 , Chris Wilson56 mins
Home Park is rocking now, as you’d expect. The hosts aren’t letting up yet either.
Chiesa tries to provide an answer for Liverpool but he drags his shot wide of the far post from distance.
GOAL! Plymouth Argyle 1-0 Liverpool
16:14 , Chris Wilson54 mins
GOAL! Ryan Hardie steps up and fires his penalty low into the bottom left, sending Kelleher the wrong way for 1-0!
PENALTY! Plymouth Argyle 0-0 Liverpool
16:13 , Chris Wilson53 mins
PENALTY TO PLYMOUTH!
The long throw comes in from the right and there’s some pinball in the box before Gyabi tries to flick it towards goal. Harvey Elliott is pressuring him and his arms are above his head, and the ball hits his hand for a stonewall penalty!
Plymouth Argyle 0-0 Liverpool
16:12 , Chris Wilson52 mins
A chance goes begging for the hosts as Hardie brings down the long ball in the box before trying to find a teammate, but his pass goes astray.
Plymouth Argyle 0-0 Liverpool
16:09 , Chris Wilson49 mins
Great play from Callum Wright on the left as he chops inside Mabaya before fizzing in a shot that Endo does well to head over. A good intervention from the midfielder.
Plymouth Argyle 0-0 Liverpool
16:07 , Chris Wilson47 mins
Plymouth’s first attack of the half sees a cross from the left that is just a touch behind everyone in green in the box.
KICK-OFF! Plymouth Argyle 0-0 Liverpool
16:05 , Chris WilsonWe’re back underway at Home Park!
HALF-TIME! Plymouth Argyle 0-0 Liverpool
16:04 , Chris WilsonBoth sides are re-emerging on the pitch now.
Will Liverpool have changed enough in the second half to avoid extra time?
HALF-TIME! Plymouth Argyle 0-0 Liverpool
16:00 , Chris WilsonIt’s been a poor half from Liverpool, who will be disappointed with the pedestrian nature of the performance.
The visitors have offered very little in attack, and have made it easy for the hosts to defend.
While Plymouth haven’t had any real clear-cut attempts, they’ve probably had the better chances overall.
We’ll be back underway soon at Home Park.
HALF-TIME! Plymouth Argyle 0-0 Liverpool
15:55 , Chris Wilson
HALF-TIME! Plymouth Argyle 0-0 Liverpool
15:50 , Chris WilsonThe referee brings the match to an end and Premier League leaders Liverpool go into the break level with Plymouth, the Championship’s bottom side.
Plymouth Argyle 0-0 Liverpool
15:49 , Chris Wilson47 mins
Not much action at the end of the half either as it begins to peter out.
Both sides look happy to head in and reset at half-time.
Plymouth Argyle 0-0 Liverpool
15:47 , Chris Wilson45 mins
Almost a lovely ball from Nyoni to Chiesa, but the former overhits it slightly. Sums up Liverpool’s half really.
There’ll be three minutes of added time here.
Plymouth Argyle 0-0 Liverpool
15:44 , Chris Wilson43 mins
A silly yellow card here for Mabaya, as he’s booked for delaying the restart. Somewhat harsh, that.
Plymouth Argyle 0-0 Liverpool
15:44 , Chris Wilson42 mins
Half a chance for the hosts as Pleguezuelo’s long throw is headed into the path of Gyabi, who drives a half-volley wide and over. Not too far away though.
Plymouth Argyle 0-0 Liverpool
15:40 , Chris Wilson39 mins
Great persistence from Jota sees him break into the box, but Katic does well to block the cutback.
Tsimikas’ ball in from the corner is cleared, before Elliott sees an effort blocked from distance.
Plymouth Argyle 0-0 Liverpool
15:3736 mins
Elliott sees a long-range effort blocked before Mabaya’s early cross is cleared.
The visitors build again and the ball breaks to McConnell on the edge of the box, and he sees his effort deflected, forcing a good save from Hazard.
Plymouth Argyle 0-0 Liverpool
15:35 , Chris Wilson34 mins
The home fans want a penalty now as the ball breaks to Bundu in the box and he’s wrestling with Tsimikas to try and poke it past Kelleher.
He goes down under the challenge but the referee waves it away.
Plymouth Argyle 0-0 Liverpool
15:34 , Chris Wilson33 mins
A bit more action now as Puchacz fires in two crosses in as many minutes, with both requiring some important intervention in the Liverpool box.
Plymouth Argyle 0-0 Liverpool
15:32 , Chris Wilson32 mins
Some brief shouts of encouragement from the home fans as the ball breaks loose to Bundu, whose pass is deflected into the path of Wright, who sees a long-range effort blocked.
Plymouth Argyle 0-0 Liverpool
15:31 , Chris Wilson30 mins
No shots on target for either side as we enter the final 15 minutes of the first half. Liverpool have had almost 72 per cent possession so far, but they have nothing to show for it yet.
Plymouth Argyle 0-0 Liverpool
15:2927 mins
Better from Liverpool, as the visitors mount their first sustained period of pressure so far. Elliott and Chiesa are at the heart of it so far, though they’re forced to recycle possession back to the defenders for now.
Plymouth Argyle 0-0 Liverpool
15:26 , Chris Wilson25 mins
Sorinola draws a foul from Diaz and another promising Liverpool attack goes astray. Arne Slot looks very irritated on the sideline.
Plymouth Argyle 0-0 Liverpool
15:24 , Chris Wilson23 mins
A great last-ditch challenge from Talovierov on the wing wins a goal kick and prevents Luis Diaz from getting into the box.
At the other end, Quansah is under plenty of pressure as he deals with a cross, but he manages to bring it down well and clear.
Plymouth Argyle 0-0 Liverpool
15:21 , Chris Wilson20 mins
Plymouth are applying a fair bit of high pressure here, and it forces Kelleher into clearing the ball straight out of play.
There’s not been a lot of action so far at Home Park, it must be said.
Plymouth Argyle 0-0 Liverpool
15:19 , Chris Wilson19 mins
Katic is able to carry on, and play resumes, with his first action a decisive clearing header to prevent Jota running clean through.
We have the first booking of the day as Nyoni comes in late on Randell.
Plymouth Argyle 0-0 Liverpool
15:17 , Chris Wilson16 mins
Elliott misplaces a pass and looks bewildered as we have another break in play. Plymouth’s Nikola Katic is down and receiving treatment.
Plymouth Argyle 0-0 Liverpool
15:15 , Chris Wilson14 mins
A first real attack of the match from the visitors ends with Tsimikas scuffing a cross out of play.
Plymouth Argyle 0-0 Liverpool
15:13 , Chris Wilson13 mins
Plymouth win a corner and they put it right on top of Kelleher, who manages to punch clear well under pressure. The shot on the follow-up is blocked, but Plymouth manage to clear to prevent the Liverpool counter.
Plymouth Argyle 0-0 Liverpool
15:12 , Chris Wilson11 mins
Gomez has just returned from injury recently, so this would be a real blow for both himself and the club.
Gomez is replaced by 20-year-old Isaac Mabaya.
Plymouth Argyle 0-0 Liverpool
15:10 , Chris Wilson9 mins
An early problem for Liverpool as Joe Gomez is down, and it looks like he’ll have to come off.
Plymouth Argyle 0-0 Liverpool
15:09 , Chris Wilson7 mins
It’s been a strangely tense opening few minutes, with Liverpool not properly settling yet.
Though the visitors looked assured in possession, their attacking play has been pedestrian and they’ve looked shaky on a couple of occasions in defence.
Arne Slot’s youngsters are clearly growing into the game though.
Plymouth Argyle 0-0 Liverpool
15:06 , Chris Wilson4 mins
Another half-chance from Plymouth as the early cross comes in towards Wright, but Kelleher was off his line well to collect.
Plymouth Argyle 0-0 Liverpool
15:04 , Chris Wilson2 mins
A small change to how the Liverpool side was reported to be lining up.
Wataru Endo is in midfield with Trey Nyoni and Harvey Elliott, with James McConnell actually starting at right-back so far.
Plymouth Argyle 0-0 Liverpool
15:03 , Chris Wilson1 min
Plymouth are the first side to mount an attack, as they get forward and Ryan Hardie sees his shot blocked after latching on to the flick on.
KICK-OFF! Plymouth Argyle 0-0 Liverpool
15:02 , Chris WilsonWe’re underway at Home Park!
Plymouth Argyle vs Liverpool LIVE
14:57 , Chris WilsonBoth sides are in the tunnel at Home Park, and we’ll be underway fairly soon.
Plymouth Argyle vs Liverpool LIVE
14:52 , Chris Wilson
Slot: Liverpool "want to be competing for every trophy"
14:45 , Chris WilsonIn his pre-match press conference, Liverpool boss Arne Slot said his side want to be “competing for every trophy" this season, and added that they are “in a very good place”.
“I'm not just talking about the results, but the players are fit and ready,” he added.
He said that he is expecting "many difficult challenges" to come, but the Reds will “do everything to win every single football match".
When is the FA Cup fifth round draw? Date, start time, channel and how to watch
14:40 , Chris WilsonThe FA Cup returns this weekend as fans are treated to 16 fourth round fixtures, with plenty of potential for a giant-killing as Premier League sides face lower-tier opposition.
Top-flight leaders Liverpool face Plymouth on Sunday before Aston Villa take on Tottenham, with the fourth round wrapping up on Tuesday night (11 February) as League One side Exeter City face high flying Nottingham Forest.
The draw for the fifth round of the FA Cup will take place on Monday, 10 February at 7.10pm.
All fifth round ties will be played across the weekend of 1 March.
When is the FA Cup fifth round draw? Date, start time, channel and how to watch
Match facts
14:35 , Chris WilsonPlymouth are looking to reach the FA Cup fifth round for just the fifth time, last doing so in 2006-07. The Pilgrims have gone out in the fourth round on four occasions since then, including last season against Leeds United.
Adam Randell reflects on coming ‘full circle’ as Liverpool return to Plymouth
14:30 , Chris WilsonMidfielder Adam Randell was in the crowd the last time Plymouth shocked Liverpool in the FA Cup and is determined to create more history in a full-circle moment.
Argyle will host Arne Slot’s Premier League leaders on Sunday in a repeat of a memorable third-round tie in 2017.
Plymouth academy graduate Randell made the long trip up to Merseyside with his Dad to watch them battle to a goalless draw at Anfield before he was present at Home Park for a narrow 1-0 loss in the replay. Eight years later and he is set to captain his boyhood club against the same opposition.
Adam Randell reflects on coming ‘full circle’ as Liverpool return to Plymouth
Head-to-head
14:25These two sides have met just 12 times in the past, with Liverpool winning six, Plymouth winning two, and four ending as draws.
Other than the FA Cup matches in 2017, all of their previous meetings have come in what was once Division Two, with the first game dating back to 1954.
Team news
14:22Arne Slot has made 10 changes to the side that beat Spurs in the Carabao Cup semi-final.
Only Kelleher keeps his spot, with Trey Nyoni at right-back and James McConnell in midfield.
Chiesa, Jota and Diaz lead a strong line for the visitors.
Team news
14:17 , Chris WilsonPlymouth have made two changes to the side that beat West Brom last week, with Jordan Houghton dropping out of midfield for Darko Gyabi.
In the forward positions, Ryan Hardie comes in for Michael Baidoo.
Arne Slot raises doubts over Trent Alexander-Arnold’s fitness for Merseyside derby
14:15 , Chris WilsonLiverpool boss Arne Slot is still unsure on whether Trent Alexander-Arnold will be fit to face Everton in the Merseyside derby next week, with the Dutchman saying it is “difficult to say” at present.
Alexander-Arnold was forced off with an injury to his thigh during the win over Bournemouth on 1 February and missed Thursday’s win over Tottenham in the second leg of the Carabao Cup semi-final.
However, scans on the injury confirmed that it was not serious, and that the full-back would be out for a matter of days rather than months.
Arne Slot raises doubts over Trent Alexander-Arnold’s fitness for Merseyside derby
Line-ups
14:11 , Chris WilsonPlymouth XI: Plymouth XI: Hazard; Maxi, Katic, Pleguezuelo; Sorinola, Randell, Gyabi, Puchacz; Bundu, Wright; Hardie.
Subs: Grimshaw, Mumba, Houghton, Obafemi, Boateng, Tijani, Al Hajj, Baidoo, Palsson.
Your Greens to face Liverpool! 💚 pic.twitter.com/D4Sw1i5WFO
— Plymouth Argyle FC (@Argyle) February 9, 2025
Line-ups
14:09 , Chris WilsonLiverpool XI: Kelleher; Nyoni, Quansah, Gomez, Tsimikas; Elliott, Endo, McConnell, Chiesa, Jota, Diaz.
Subs: Jaros, Nunez, Jones, Kone-Doherty, Mabaya, Nallo, Norris, Young, Ngumoha.
Team news is IN 🙌 #EmiratesFACup
— Liverpool FC (@LFC) February 9, 2025
Team news
13:55 , Chris WilsonThe line-ups should be released in about five minutes, so here’s a reminder of the early team news.
For Plymouth, Brendan Galloway has been ruled out for the rest of the season after sustaining a hip injury, while Kornel Szucs and Joe Edwards will also miss this match.
In his pre-match conference, Arne Slot ruled out a return for both Trent Alexander-Arnold and Tyler Morton, with the former also a doubt for the midweek match against Everton.
Slot will likely make several changes to the side that beat Spurs in midweek, with Jarell Quansah potentially coming into the defence alongside Wataru Endo, as was the case against Accrington Stanley.
In midfield, Ryan Gravenberch will likely be rested, with Curtis Jones or James McConnell potentially coming in.
Up front, Federico Chiesa and Harvey Elliott should get a chance in the starting line-up.
Liverpool still firmly in quadruple hunt
13:50 , Chris WilsonHaving made the Carabao Cup final in midweek, Liverpool remain on the hunt for a quadruple this season as they take on Plymouth today.
The first final of the season will see them face a difficult task as they take on Newcastle in March, and while several difficult sides remain in the FA Cup, the Reds’ status as Europe’s in-form side mean that it is difficult to bet against them.
In the league, Arne Slot’s side lead by six points on nearest challengers Arsenal, and they could go nine points ahead if they win their game in hand – against Everton on Wednesday.
In Europe, there’s plenty to be decided as the playoff games take place this week, with the Reds waiting to see their last 16 opponents having topped the league phase table.
Match facts
13:40 , Chris WilsonLiverpool are unbeaten in their last eight games against Plymouth in all competitions (W5 D3) since suffering a 4-0 away defeat in February 1956.
Why were FA Cup replays scrapped?
13:30 , Chris WilsonThe FA Cup brings some of the most memorable moments of the football season, but the competition will look a little different this year after a seismic change.
As always, the draw has thrown together some intriguing ties.
But while fairytale ties against top-flight sides can still be the high point of a season for some clubs in the lower tiers, the decision to scrap replays from this season onwards has not been a popular one.
The FA took the decision to scrap FA Cup replays in April 2024, with the country’s governing body working with the Premier League to come to an agreement in light of the expansion of the format to Uefa’s main competitions.
FA Cup: Fourth round results so far
13:15 , Chris WilsonHere’s a quick rundown of the results so far in the fourth round, as well as some linked match reports.
Friday, 7 February
Manchester United 2-1 Leicester City
Saturday, 8 February
Leyton Orient 1-2 Manchester City
Leeds United 0-2 Millwall
Coventry 1-4 Ipswich
Preston 0-0 Wycombe (PNE win 4-2 on pens)
Stoke City 3-3 Cardiff (CAR win 4-3 on pens)
Southampton 0-1 Burnley
Wigan 1-2 Fulham
Match facts
13:05 , Chris WilsonPlymouth Argyle’s only previous FA Cup tie with Liverpool in the 2017 third round saw them draw 0-0 at Anfield as a fourth tier side, before losing 1-0 in a replay at Home Park.
That replay was the last time these two sides met, with the last match before that dating all the way back to 1962, when the two sides faced off in what was then Division Two.
Why is there no VAR in the FA Cup fourth round?
12:55 , Chris WilsonThis has already provided some controversy this weekend...
The FA Cup continues this weekend with the fourth round of the old competition.
But fans of sides in the English top tier will notice a difference in their fixtures, with the video assistant referee (VAR) system not in use.
Introduced to the Premier League in the 2019/20 season, protracted reviews and VAR decisions have become commonplace within fixtures in the division.
English football’s flagship club competition has previously only had VAR in operation at fixtures hosted at Premier League grounds or Wembley due to the infrastructure, workforce and costs that are required for its operation.
But the organisers of the FA Cup have confirmed a different approach in this edition of the tournament.
The extra officials and accompanying technology will only be in place from the fifth round onwards, meaning that all games in rounds three and four will have no VAR regardless of the venue at which they are hosted.
Liverpool boss Arne Slot delighted to reach cup final but focused on next match
12:40 , Chris WilsonArne Slot hailed a special moment after guiding Liverpool into the Carabao Cup final during his first season, but insisted his thoughts were already on the next game.
The holders booked a Wembley date with Newcastle next month as they comfortably overturned a 1-0 first-leg deficit in their semi-final against Tottenham with a convincing 4-0 victory in the Anfield return on Thursday.
Slot is enjoying a superb debut campaign as Reds boss, with his team also leading the Premier League and through to the last 16 of the Champions League.
Liverpool boss Arne Slot delighted to reach cup final but focused on next match
Every FA Cup game on TV this weekend
12:25 , Chris WilsonHere’s a quick rundown of the remaining televised games over the weekend and into next week.
Sunday 9 February
Blackburn Rovers vs Wolves (Live on BBC iPlayer) - 12.30pm
Plymouth Argyle vs Liverpool (Live on ITV 1 and ITV X) - 3pm
Aston Villa vs Tottenham Hotspur (Live on BBC One and iPlayer) - 5.35pm
Monday 10 February
Doncaster Rovers vs Crystal Palace (Live on BBC iPlayer) - 7.45pm
Tuesday 11 February
Exeter City vs Nottingham Forest (Live on ITV 1 and ITV X)
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