Ryan Hardie’s second-half spotkick gave Plymouth Argyle a surprise 1-0 win against Premier League leaders Liverpool in the biggest shock of this season’s FA Cup.
The league’s bottom team put in a stubborn defensive showing to boot Liverpool out, ending the Reds’ hopes of a quadruple, and drawing them blank for just the third time this season.
Liverpool, with 10 alterations from their typical team, could not stamp their authority. Their first on-target shot arrived in the 36th minute when James McConnell’s deflected effort drew a save from Conor Hazard.
Plymouth, though, started the second half with purpose and were rewarded when Darko Gyabi’s deflection hit Harvey Elliott’s outstretched arm and the referee gave a penalty. Hardie makes no mistake, dispatching into the bottom-left corner and sparking jubilant scenes in Home Park.
The striker came close to making it two minutes later, but his half-volley was magnificently tipped onto the post by Caoimhin Kelleher. Liverpool threw on the pressure in the dying embers, yet Hazard would not be beaten, pulling off stunning saves to deny Diogo Jota and Darwin Núñez.
It is Plymouth’s first appearance in the FA Cup fifth round since 2007, and only the fifth in their history. Meanwhile, Liverpool’s loss is the fourth of the Arne Slot era ending an eight-match unbeaten run against the Pilgrims.
