Struggling Championship side Plymouth knock Liverpool out of FA Cup

Plymouth Argyle produced the biggest upset of the English FA Cup so far with a 1-0 win over Liverpool in their fourth round encounter at Home Park on Sunday.

Liverpool, top of the English Premier League (EPL), rested several first team players for the FA Cup tie as Arne Slot rotated heavily against the bottom club in the English Championship who delivered the knockout punch through Ryan Hardie’s second half penalty.

Liverpool controlled over 70% possession in the early exchanges but were made to wait until after the half hour for their first real chance when James McConnell’s shot was saved.

The first half petered out with little action but the hosts began the second period with a blocked chance on the edge of the area before winning the penalty kick minutes later.

A flicked ball by Darko Gyabi was handled by Harvey Elliot and the referee pointed to the spot where Hardie sent Caoimhin Kelleher the wrong way for 1-0 to the gutsy hosts on 57 minutes.

Plymouth almost doubled their lead but Kelleher pushed Hardie’s effort onto the post while Callum Wright blazed wide from the resultant corner kick.

Liverpool poured forward and camped in Plymouth’s half in search of the equalizer and had chances through Darwin Nunez and Kelleher late on but they were dealt with by the hosts who claimed a historic victory, only their second win in three months.

It is only the first time in seven years a side top of the EPL would lose to a club outside the top flight.