Plymouth Argyle pulled off a sensational FA Cup giant-killing by defeating Premier League leaders Liverpool at a packed Home Park. The Championship’s bottom club defied the odds to book their place in the fifth round, sending their fans into ecstasy.
Liverpool manager Arne Slot made 10 changes from the side that recently dominated Tottenham to reach the Carabao Cup final, a gamble that backfired spectacularly as Plymouth seized their chance.
The breakthrough came eight minutes after halftime when Harvey Elliott’s handball gifted Plymouth a penalty. Ryan Hardie stepped up and smashed home the spot-kick with confidence. Hardie nearly doubled the lead moments later, but Liverpool goalkeeper Caoimhin Kelleher managed to tip his shot onto the post.
As the match neared its conclusion, Liverpool threw everything forward in search of an equalizer. However, Plymouth’s goalkeeper, Conor Hazard, produced two stunning saves—first denying Diogo Jota and then miraculously keeping out a close-range header from substitute Darwin Núñez.
At the final whistle, Home Park erupted in celebration, marking one of the most memorable nights in the club’s history. Plymouth’s new manager, Miron Muslic, has quickly become a fan favorite after leading his side to this famous victory.
Liverpool’s weakened lineup, which excluded stars like Mohamed Salah and Virgil van Dijk, gave Plymouth hope from the start. The home side made the match a physical battle and capitalized when Elliott’s unnecessary handball gifted them a golden opportunity.
While Plymouth’s primary focus remains avoiding relegation from the Championship, this FA Cup upset has provided a moment of inspiration—and a reminder of the tournament’s enduring magic.