Plymouth vs Liverpool as it happened: Hosts pull off huge FA Cup shock with Ryan Hardie penalty
Liverpool suffered a shock defeat against Championship side Plymouth Argyle in the fourth round of the FA Cup. Arne Slot’s side have already enjoyed one bit of success in a domestic cup competition this week, having smashed Tottenham 4-0 on Thursday to book a spot in the Carabao Cup Final.
But they will not be heading back to Wembley in May. The Reds strongly rotated at Home Park, with the likes of Harvey Elliott, Wataru Endo and Diogo Jota all handed starts but the decision ultimately backfired when Elliott handled in the area to concede a penalty in the second half.
Ryan Hardie, who missed a penalty that would have seen Argyle take Chelsea to penalties at Stamford Bridge in the fourth round four years ago, stepped up and sent Caoimhin Kelleher the wrong way as Home Park erupted.
As expected, Liverpool pushed for an equaliser but could not find a way past Conor Hazard as Plymouth held on to secure a famous FA Cup result. Read the game back below with our dedicated match blog.
Plymouth vs Liverpool latest news
GOAL! Hardie breaks the deadlock
Elliott concedes penalty after handling in the area
Joe Gomez forced off early
Plymouth pull of FA Cup shock
17:13 , Tashan Deniran-Alleyne
Liverpool’s hopes of winning a quadruple this season are over after a shock defeat to Plymouth in the FA Cup fourth round.
The Reds arrived at Home Park in great form after reaching the Carabao Cup final thanks to a second leg win over Tottenham, but there will be no domestic cup double for Arne Slot in his first season as head coach.
Read our full match report right here!
Plymouth 1-0 Liverpool
16:59 , Tashan Deniran-Alleyne
90+9 min: Kelleher heads the ball into the arms of Hazard.
That is the last chance of the game as the final whistle goes. PLYMOUTH HAVE JUST KNOCKED LIVERPOOL OUT OF THE FA CUP
Plymouth 1-0 Liverpool
16:58 , Tashan Deniran-Alleyne
90+8 min: This is the game, Kelleher is up for a free-kick but Hazard tips Nunez’s header over the bar!
Plymouth 1-0 Liverpool
16:55 , Tashan Deniran-Alleyne
96 min: Another few seconds tick away as Chiesa’s cross sails out of the play.
Plymouth 1-0 Liverpool
16:55 , Tashan Deniran-Alleyne
90+5 min: Katic has been superb for Plymouth this afternoon.
Plymouth 1-0 Liverpool
16:52 , Tashan Deniran-Alleyne
90+2 min: Almost a second for Plymouth but Tijani can’t time his header.
Hazard then makes a stunning save to deny Jota!
Plymouth 1-0 Liverpool
16:50 , Tashan Deniran-Alleyne
90 min: NINE minutes of added time signalled.
Plymouth 1-0 Liverpool
16:48 , Tashan Deniran-Alleyne
88 min: That was the chance!
Hazard out of goal, but McConnell can’t make most of the chance.
Plymouth 1-0 Liverpool
16:47 , Tashan Deniran-Alleyne
87 min: Plymouth are going to have to dig in here, wave after wave of Liverpool pressure. However, Hazard hasn’t really been called into action.
Plymouth 1-0 Liverpool
16:44 , Tashan Deniran-Alleyne
84 min: Nunez fires an effort wide, he wants a corner but a goal kick is awarded.
Plymouth 1-0 Liverpool
16:43 , Tashan Deniran-Alleyne
83 min: Ball fall kindly for Jota following a fortunate touch, he drives the ball across the face of goal but there’s no takers.
Plymouth 1-0 Liverpool
16:42 , Tashan Deniran-Alleyne
81 min: CHANCE
Really good cross from Chiesa to the back post, Quansah stretches for the ball but can’t divert an effort on target.
Plymouth 1-0 Liverpool
16:40 , Tashan Deniran-Alleyne
80 min: Goalscorer Hardie is replaced by Obafemi.
10 minutes to go!
Plymouth 1-0 Liverpool
16:39 , Tashan Deniran-Alleyne
79 min: Huge cheer from the Plymouth fans as Hazard collects a cross from Tsimikas.
Plymouth 1-0 Liverpool
16:37 , Tashan Deniran-Alleyne
77 min: The hosts aren’t just sitting back and defending, they are picking their moments to get forward. Puchacz wins a corner and his delivery is well defended at the near post.
Third time unlucky for Sorinola as he brings down Jota and earns himself a yellow card.
Plymouth 1-0 Liverpool
16:36 , Tashan Deniran-Alleyne
76 min: Really good defending from Sorinola once again as he reads Jota’s pass to Nunez.
Plymouth 1-0 Liverpool
16:34 , Tashan Deniran-Alleyne
75 min: Nyoni is replaced by Kone-Doherty
Plymouth 1-0 Liverpool
16:33 , Tashan Deniran-Alleyne
74 min: Katic concedes a corner and celebrates like he just heard the final whistle.
Plymouth 1-0 Liverpool
16:32 , Tashan Deniran-Alleyne
72 min: WHAT A BLOCK
Sorinola tracks Diaz’s run and slides in at the right time to divert the winger’s effort away from goal.
Plymouth 1-0 Liverpool
16:31 , Tashan Deniran-Alleyne
71 min: Double change for Plymouth has Boateng and Tijani replace Bundu and Randall.
Plymouth 1-0 Liverpool
16:30 , Tashan Deniran-Alleyne
70 min: Bundu has been booked for a foul on Nyoni.
Into the last 20 minutes of normal time, Liverpool pressure is expected.
Plymouth 1-0 Liverpool
16:29 , Tashan Deniran-Alleyne
68 min: Liverpool can’t really have any complaints about the penalty, just look at where Harvey Elliott’s hands were.
Plymouth 1-0 Liverpool
16:26 , Tashan Deniran-Alleyne
66 min: Plymouth make the change as Pleguezuelo is replaced by Palsson.
Plymouth 1-0 Liverpool
16:24 , Tashan Deniran-Alleyne
64 min: Looks like Pleguezuelo’s game is over. He tried to continue but is on the ground once again.
Plymouth 1-0 Liverpool
16:21 , Tashan Deniran-Alleyne
60 min: WHAT A SAVE
Katic knocks the ball on for Hardie who strikes the ball at goal but Kelleher produces a fine save to divert the effort onto the post.
Plymouth 1-0 Liverpool
16:18 , Tashan Deniran-Alleyne
57 min: The substitute has been substituted.
Mabaya who replaced Gomez in the first-half is taken off just before the hour mark for Darwin Nunez.
Slot explains the decision to the youngster. Needs must at this point for Liverpool.
Plymouth 1-0 Liverpool
16:16 , Tashan Deniran-Alleyne
57 min: The goal has at least woken Liverpool up as Chiesa has a effort that drifts wide.
Concern for Plymouth as Pleguezuelo requires treatment.
Plymouth 1-0 Liverpool
16:14 , Tashan Deniran-Alleyne
54 min: Home Park is rocking!
Ryan Hardie with a cooly taken penalty, sending Kelleher the wrong way.
GOAL! Plymouth 1-0 Liverpool | Ryan Hardie '53
16:13 , Tashan Deniran-Alleyne
53 min: Hardie steps up....SCORES
Plymouth 0-0 Liverpool
16:11 , Tashan Deniran-Alleyne
51 min: Sorinola does well to keep the ball in play and win a throw-in.
He launches it into the box, Gyabi tries to flick it on and Elliott handles. Plymouth penalty!
Plymouth 0-0 Liverpool
16:08 , Tashan Deniran-Alleyne
48 min: Another timely intervention from Endo as he throws his head at Wright’s shot to send it behind for a corner.
Plymouth 0-0 Liverpool
16:07 , Tashan Deniran-Alleyne
47 min: To say Diogo Jota was quiet in the first-half is an understatement. He completed just one single pass in the opening 45.
Plymouth 0-0 Liverpool
16:04 , Tashan Deniran-Alleyne
Back underway at Home Park!
Liverpool options
15:59 , Tashan Deniran-Alleyne
Not a great deal of experience on the Liverpool bench this afternoon.
One would imagine Darwin Nunez and Curtis Jones will be introduced sooner rather than later.
Plymouth 0-0 Liverpool
15:49 , Tashan Deniran-Alleyne
HALF-TIME
And that’s it for the first-half. Goalless in this FA Cup fourth round tie.
Plymouth 0-0 Liverpool
15:46 , Tashan Deniran-Alleyne
45 min: Chiesa does his best to get on the end of Nyoni’s pass but to no avail.
Three minutes of injury time to be played.
Plymouth 0-0 Liverpool
15:43 , Tashan Deniran-Alleyne
43 min: Another yellow card for Liverpool as Mabaya is cautioned for delaying the restart.
Plymouth 0-0 Liverpool
15:42 , Tashan Deniran-Alleyne
42 min: Gyabi with a first time effort, but he’s leaning back and the ball goes way wide.
Plymouth 0-0 Liverpool
15:40 , Tashan Deniran-Alleyne
38 min: Jota forces a corner after wriggling his way into the box.
Corner is taken short and Liverpool will get another attempt. They play it short again, this time Elliott has an effort which is blocked and the hosts win a free-kick for an apparent foul in the box by Jota.
Plymouth 0-0 Liverpool
15:37 , Tashan Deniran-Alleyne
35 min: Finally, Hazard is forced into a save as he tips McConnell’s shot away.
It is a good stop especially as the ball had come through a crowd and the Plymouth keeper will have seen the ball rather late.
Plymouth 0-0 Liverpool
15:34 , Tashan Deniran-Alleyne
32 min: Endo has made a couple of vital headed clearances in his own box in the last minute or so.
Bundu tries to bundle his way into the box, goes down under a challenge from Tsimikas but his penalty claim is waved away.
Plymouth 0-0 Liverpool
15:31 , Tashan Deniran-Alleyne
31 min: Bundu is proving to be a nuisance for Liverpool, he fancies himself against Quansah and Endo.
Plymouth 0-0 Liverpool
15:31 , Tashan Deniran-Alleyne
30 min: Chiesa tries to combine with Mabaya down the right-hand side, but the latter can’t bring the ball under control and it drifts out for a goal kick.
That sums up Liverpool thus far.
Plymouth 0-0 Liverpool
15:28 , Tashan Deniran-Alleyne
27 min: Sustained period of possession for Liverpool, but Plymouth do well to cut off any gaps, forcing the Reds to go wide before Elliott’s pass is cut out.
Plymouth 0-0 Liverpool
15:25 , Tashan Deniran-Alleyne
25 min: Sorinola draws a foul from Diaz, much to the disbelief of Slot.
Plymouth 0-0 Liverpool
15:24 , Tashan Deniran-Alleyne
23 min: Not a great deal to report as we past the halfway point of the first-half. Plymouth will certainly be the happier of the two sides.
However, under Arne Slot this season, Liverpool have shown they can be patient.
Plymouth 0-0 Liverpool
15:22 , Tashan Deniran-Alleyne
21 min: Talovierov celebrates like he’s just scored the winner as he successfully wins a duel with Diaz.
Plymouth 0-0 Liverpool
15:18 , Tashan Deniran-Alleyne
17 min: Katic is back on the pitch and produces a headed clearance to ensure Endo’s cross field pass doesn’t pick out Chiesa.
Nyoni goes into the book for a challenge on Randall. Very late from the Liverpool youngster.
Plymouth 0-0 Liverpool
15:15 , Tashan Deniran-Alleyne
14 min: Katic is now down for Plymouth following a collision.
Plymouth 0-0 Liverpool
15:12 , Tashan Deniran-Alleyne
12 min: Kelleher partially deals with a corner but the ball falls to Gyabi who strikes it first time only for his effort to be blocked.
Plymouth 0-0 Liverpool
15:11 , Tashan Deniran-Alleyne
10 min: Mabaya replaces Gomez who hands over the captain’s armband to Jota.
Plymouth 0-0 Liverpool
15:09 , Tashan Deniran-Alleyne
8 min: Oh no, looks like Liverpool will be forced into an early change as Joe Gomez is down.
Very unfortunate for the defender who has only just returned to action following a spell on the sidelines.
Plymouth 0-0 Liverpool
15:08 , Tashan Deniran-Alleyne
6 min: Foul from Randell on Quansah after the Liverpool defender tried to carry the ball through the defensive third.
Plymouth 0-0 Liverpool
15:05 , Tashan Deniran-Alleyne
4 min: First time cross by Hardie into the path of Wright but Kelleher is alert to claim the ball.
Decent start by Plymouth, Bundu is certainly posing a threat up front.
Plymouth 0-0 Liverpool
15:04 , Tashan Deniran-Alleyne
3 min: First real Liverpool attack as Nyoni has an effort blocked after being picked out by Diaz.
Plymouth 0-0 Liverpool
15:03 , Tashan Deniran-Alleyne
2 min: Promising start for Plymouth as Bundu wins a flick-on, Wright then feeds Hardie who sees an effort blocked.
Warning for Liverpool.
KICK-OFF!
15:00 , Tashan Deniran-Alleyne
Away we go in this FA Cup fourth round tie!
Here we go!
14:57 , Tashan Deniran-Alleyne
The teams have emerged from the tunnel at Home Park.
Slot expecting a direct game
14:56 , Tashan Deniran-Alleyne
Arne Slot has revealed what he expects from Plymouth this afternoon.
"They're very direct. You have to be focused for 90 minutes as they are waiting for one moment,” he said on ITV.
"We have to be on top of our game."
FA Cup rule change
14:52 , Tashan Deniran-Alleyne
The FA Cup rules have changed this season. Replays have been scrapped from the first round onwards, with a winner determined on the day of the ties.
So, if the scores are level after 90 minutes tonight, a period of 30 minutes of extra time will be played with a penalty shootout to follow if a winner can not be found in that time.
VAR reminder
14:48 , Tashan Deniran-Alleyne
A reminder that VAR will not be in operation during this afternoon's FA Cup tie.
In fact, VAR will not feature in the competition until round five.
"Video Assistant Referees (VAR) will only be used in the 2024-25 Emirates FA Cup from the Fifth Round onwards," the FA confirmed in a statement.
"It has been agreed that VAR will be utilised for every match in the Fifth Round of the competition through to the Final at Wembley Stadium, and will not be in operation for the Third and Fourth Rounds.
"VAR has only been used in the Emirates FA Cup previously for matches at Wembley Stadium and at Premier League grounds due to the infrastructure, workforce and costs that are required for its operation.
"This decision ensures that there is a consistent refereeing approach for all clubs taking part in the same stage of the competition."
Not long now!
14:45 , Tashan Deniran-Alleyne
Less than 15 minutes to go until kick-off at Home Park!
Liverpool absentees
14:40 , Tashan Deniran-Alleyne
Some notable names absent from the Liverpool matchday squad this afternoon: Alisson, Bradley, Alexander-Arnold, Robertson, Konate, Van Dijk, Gravenberch, Szoboszlai, Mac Allister, Gakpo, Salah.
You would imagine they are being saved for Wednesday’s Merseyside derby against Everton.
Around the grounds
14:35 , Tashan Deniran-Alleyne
Here are the remaining FA Cup fourth round ties:
Aston Villa vs Tottenham
Doncaster Rovers vs Crystal Palace
Exeter vs Nottingham Forest
Plymouth Argyle vs Liverpool
Liverpool dressing room
14:30 , Tashan Deniran-Alleyne
Behind the scenes at Home Park as Liverpool’s dressing room is prepared.
Miron Muslic's pre-match thoughts
14:25 , Tashan Deniran-Alleyne
This is what Plymouth boss Miron Muslic has had to say ahead of kick-off.
"Today is the most famous cup in the world, and we are playing against the best team in the world,” he said on ITV.
“I will try to enjoy this moment. We are an underdog, but we want to be a brave underdog.
"In terms of motivation, this is the easiest game to prepare as the lads want to play this game.
"With nothing to lose, but a lot to win.”
Plymouth changes
14:20 , Tashan Deniran-Alleyne
For the hosts, it's just the one change from the win over West Brom last time out as Gyabi starts ahead of Houghton in midfield.
Liverpool changes
14:15 , Tashan Deniran-Alleyne
As expected, Arne Slot has opted for heavy rotation this afternoon.
Only Caoimhin Kelleher retains a place in the team that began Thursday’s win over Tottenham as Diogo Jota, Luis Diaz, Joe Gomez and Harvey Elliott all start.
Youngster Trey Nyoni gets the nod in midfield.
Plymouth team in full
14:10 , Tashan Deniran-Alleyne
Plymouth XI: Hazard, Pleguezuelo, Hardie, Wright, Bundu, Puchacz, Gyabi, Randell, Katic, Sorinola, Talovierov
Subs: Grimshaw, Mumba, Houghton, Obafemi, Boateng, Tijani, Al Hajj, Baidoo, Palsson
Liverpool team in full
14:05 , Tashan Deniran-Alleyne
Liverpool XI: Kelleher, Gomez, Endo, Diaz, Chiesa, Elliott, Jota, Tsimikas, McConnell, Quansah, Nyoni
Subs: Jaros, Nunez, Jones, Kone-Doherty, Mabaya, Nallo, Ngumoha, Norris, Young
Confirmed Plymouth XI
14:00 , Tashan Deniran-Alleyne
And lining up for the home side...
Your Greens to face Liverpool! 💚 pic.twitter.com/D4Sw1i5WFO
— Plymouth Argyle FC (@Argyle) February 9, 2025
Liverpool lineup announced
14:00 , Tashan Deniran-Alleyne
Here’s how Liverpool lineup this afternoon...
Team news is IN 🙌 #EmiratesFACup
— Liverpool FC (@LFC) February 9, 2025
Team news imminent
13:55 , Tashan Deniran-Alleyne
We are expecting the team news to be announced shortly.
Luis Diaz has arrived with the Liverpool squad at Home Park alongside the likes of Wataru Endo, Diogo Jota and Konstantinos Tsimikas.
Stay tuned...
Ngumoha inclusion?
13:50 , Tashan Deniran-Alleyne
Rio Ngumoha be involved this afternoon?
The Liverpool youngster did well in third-round tie against Accrington Stanley and it will be interesting to see how he'd cope with the step up in opposition.
Home Park
13:45 , Tashan Deniran-Alleyne
The scenes around Home Park with just over an hour until kick-off.
Super Bowl LIX predictions
13:40 , Tashan Deniran-Alleyne
Ahead of Super Bowl LIX tonight, the Liverpool squad have been offering up their predictions for the huge game between the Kansas City Chiefs and the Philadelphia Eagles.
"You can only try one time my brother!" 🤣
Swapping the ⚽️ for 🏈 ahead of #SuperBowlLIX 👀 pic.twitter.com/kDB2znhm2E— Liverpool FC (@LFC) February 8, 2025
FA Cup results
13:35 , Tashan Deniran-Alleyne
Here are the FA Cup fourth round results so far. As you can see, defeats for Everton and Chelsea, whilst both Manchester clubs are safely through.
Coventry City 1-4 Ipswich Town
Everton 0-2 Bournemouth
Leeds United 0-2 Millwall
Leyton Orient 1-2 Manchester City
Manchester United 2-1 Leicester City
Wigan 1-2 Fulham
Preston 0-0 Wycombe Wanderers (Preston win 4-2 on penalties)
Southampton 0-1 Burnley
Stoke 3-3 Cardiff (Cardiff win 4-2 on penalties)
Birmingham City 2-3 Newcastle
Brighton 2-1 Chelsea
Predicted Liverpool XI
13:30 , Tashan Deniran-Alleyne
Arne Slot is set to name a much-changed Liverpool team for their FA Cup fourth-round tie at Plymouth.
Liverpool face the Championship strugglers just three days after beating Tottenham 4-0 at Anfield and booking a spot in the Carabao Cup Final.
With the Merseyside derby at Everton on Wednesday, Slot has confirmed he intends to rotate his side and Mohamed Salah is among those who could get a rest.
Trent Alexander-Arnold is unavailable as he continues to recover from the injury he suffered at Bournemouth last week.
Caoimhin Kelleher is likely to continue in goal.
Neither Trey Nyoni or Rio Ngumoha were involved for the Under-21s on Friday or the Under-18s on Saturday, suggesting they will be involved along with James McConnell.
Liverpool predicted XI: Kelleher; Bradley, Quansah, Endo, Tsimikas; McConnell, Mac Allister; Elliott, Chiesa, Diaz; Nunez
The task
13:25 , Tashan Deniran-Alleyne
Plymouth are certainly aware of the huge task in front of them this afternoon.
The task 🆚 pic.twitter.com/J6LQMtRwDm
— Plymouth Argyle FC (@Argyle) February 9, 2025
Miron Musli praises Arne Slot
13:20 , Tashan Deniran-Alleyne
This is what Plymouth manager Miron Musli has said about the influence Arne Slot has had on his coaching career.
“I mentioned in several interviews how I admire Arne Slot. I was in Rotterdam two times in the last two-and-a half years to see them play, to see him coaching," he revealed. "I just think Slot is a complete coach.
“We are speaking about a world class coach, so I have to come up with some solutions, I guess.”
Fixture postponement
13:15 , Tashan Deniran-Alleyne
As a result of Liverpool reaching the Carabao Cup final, their Premier League clash against Aston Villa must be rearranged.
The Reds were due to travel to Villa Park next month but the encounter will now be played on Wednesday February 19.
This is likely to have massive implications on the title race as Liverpool will soon have played a game extra than nearest challengers Arsenal.
Liverpool form
13:10 , Tashan Deniran-Alleyne
Liverpool began 2025 with one win in four games across all competitions, and that was against Accrington Stanley in the last round of the FA Cup.
It felt like the Reds were beginning to stumble following an impressive first half of the season.
However, since then they've won five of their last six, with their only defeat coming against PSV Eindhoven in what was a dead-rubber Champions League fixture.
Miron Muslic: Liverpool are the best team in the world
13:05 , Tashan Deniran-Alleyne
Plymouth boss Miron Muslic is relishing an FA Cup tie against who he believes are the "best team in the world".
“Right now, Liverpool are the best team in the world, so we are very much looking forward to having them here at Home Park," he said. "We deserve this as a club, as an organisation. The Green Army deserves to have this kind of game, against the best team in the world.
"This is not exaggerating, if you can dominate the Premier League, and if you can dominate the Champions League like they are doing.
"For us, we need to enjoy playing against the leader of the Premier League, to feel also what it takes to be on that level. That's experience we want to gain. We want to learn from this game, and we want to enjoy this game."
Virgil van Dijk responds to Liverpool contract claim
13:00 , Tashan Deniran-Alleyne
Virgil van Dijk suggested he has not yet signed a new Liverpool, despite recent reports.
The 33-year-old’s current deal expires at the end of the season and that has left him free to speak to clubs abroad about a pre-contract agreement.
Van Dijk has been coy this season when asked for an update on his future, unlike team-mate Mohamed Salah who has voiced his frustration over the lack of progress with his own negotiations.
Reports on social media earlier this week claimed that Van Dijk had agreed a new deal at Liverpool, but the Dutchman dismissed that when asked after the Reds’ 4-0 Carabao Cup semi-final win over Tottenham.
Kelleher warning
12:55 , Tashan Deniran-Alleyne
Despite Plymouth’s position in the Championship table, currently bottom, Liverpool goalkeeper Caoimhin Kelleher insists the Reds will take nothing for granted and continue their “win every game” mentality in the FA Cup tie.
“I think obviously it’s going to be difficult,” he said. “It’s obviously a massive game for them, us coming there is going to be huge. They’re going to be ready.
“The fans are going to be ready for us. It’s going to be a tough game. We want to go there and get a win, and we need to be ready for a tough game as well.
“Maybe they’re not having the best season but that kind of goes out of the window in a cup tie. They might see it as a chance to ignite their season and get something going, especially with us coming into town.
“It’s going to be a massive day for them. We know they’ll be well up for it.”
Slot makes admission over Liverpool team selection
12:50 , Tashan Deniran-Alleyne
Arne Slot admits Liverpool will give some of their fringe players the chance to shine during Sunday’s FA Cup clash with Plymouth.
Liverpool, fresh from securing a spot in the Carabao Cup final, visit second-tier Championship side Plymouth on Sunday before league matches against Everton, Wolverhampton Wanderers, Aston Villa, Manchester City and Newcastle United this month.
"It is always a tricky tie, no matter what team you play, because it is an away game and it is probably their 'final', as is often the case when Liverpool goes anywhere," Slot told reporters ahead of the fourth-round tie."
Read the Liverpool manager's full quotes right here!
Plymouth vs Liverpool match odds
12:45 , Tashan Deniran-Alleyne
Plymouth to win: 14/1
Draw (after 90 minutes): 11/2
Liverpool to win: 1/8
Odds via Betfair (subject to change).
Last time at Home Park
12:40 , Tashan Deniran-Alleyne
A Lucas Levia goal helped Liverpool overcome Plymouth in an FA Cup third round replay back in 2017.
So much has changed for the Reds since then. Though, Trent Alexander-Arnold and Joe Gomez did start at Home Park that night.
Setting the stage
12:35 , Tashan Deniran-Alleyne
Looks like a glorious day for some FA Cup fourth round action. Blue skies and the pitch is in good condition!
Plymouth vs Liverpool: Head to head (h2h) history and results
12:30 , Tashan Deniran-Alleyne
Plymouth wins: 0
Draws: 1
Liverpool wins: 1
Just a third ever meeting between the two sides, Liverpool needed a replay to overcome Argyle in the third round of the FA Cup back in 2017.
10:58 , Giuseppe Muro
The team starting the day top of the Premier League has only been knocked out of the FA Cup on three occasions by a side from outside the top-flight.
Leeds beat Cardiff in 2001-02, Chelsea lost to Bradford in 2014-15 and Manchester City went out against Wigan in 2017-18.
Liverpool team news hint
08:41 , Giuseppe Muro
Neither Liverpool youngsters Trey Nyoni or Rio Ngumoha were involved for the Under-21s on Friday or the Under-18s on Saturday.
That suggests they will be involved along with James McConnell, who is pushing for a start.
Liverpool this week added Ngumoha, the 16-year-old winger who has joined from Chelsea, to their Champions League squad for the knockout stage.
Standard Sport prediction
Saturday 8 February 2025 23:00 , Tashan Deniran-Alleyne
There is probably no ‘best’ time to face the Premier League leaders. But considering the form Liverpool are in right now, it’s safe to say this isn’t a good time to be play them.
Plymouth have got to make home advantage count for something and they could come up against a much-changed Reds team as Arne Slot may have one eye on the Merseyside derby against Everton.
That said, Liverpool should have too much for the Championship side.
Liverpool to win 4-1
Early Plymouth team news
Saturday 8 February 2025 19:30 , Tashan Deniran-Alleyne
Plymouth will be without Kornel Szucs (muscle), Brendan Galloway (hip) and Joe Edwards (hamstring) against Liverpool. Meanwhile, third round hero Morgan Whittaker left to join Middlesbrough in the January transfer window.
As a result, the goalscoring onus will fall on Ryan Hardie and Mustapha Bundu. Former Arsenal youngster Julio Pleguezuelo is in contention to start.
'It's been a tough season for Plymouth'
Saturday 8 February 2025 16:30 , Alex Young
Plymouth head into the game following a first Championship victory in three months after they beat West Brom in dramatic fashion last Saturday.
It has been a difficult campaign for Argyle, with Wayne Rooney's high-profile tenure ending in December and the club bottom of the table with only five league wins this term.
New boss Miron Muslic has lifted spirits but midfielder Adam Randell, who has captained the club in the last eight fixtures following Joe Edwards' hamstring injury, conceded recent months had taken a toll on him.
Randell acknowledged: "It has been tough. I would be lying if I said it wasn't. It has not been an easy period for us all year really.
"We've had a tough time and knowing it is my hometown club, it does affect me and I do find it hard at times. It has been a massive learning curve for me as well.
"Within my career I've been lucky to have a lot of positive moments and avoid a lot of negative ones, but this year has been a little bit different. It is something I have had to learn and adapt to. I felt like I have coped with it well so far."
Early Liverpool team news
Saturday 8 February 2025 14:00 , Alex Young
Trent Alexander-Arnold will likely miss the game.
Alexander-Arnold missed Liverpool’s 4-0 win over Tottenham in the Carabao Cup semi-final on Thursday after asking to come off injured against Bournemouth last weekend.
Slot has confirmed the England international is set to miss Sunday’s trip down to Home Park, while he remains a doubt for next week’s Merseyside derby clash with Everton.
“No, I don’t think so yet. That’s going to be too early for him,” said Slot on Friday.
“Difficult to say [about the derby]. Like I said before, it’s not going to take months and not even weeks but that’s only three days after the Plymouth Argyle game, so let’s wait and see if he is available.
“We also have to look at the long term, of course we don’t want to take any risks with so many games afterwards coming up. But if he’s fit then of course we will use him.”
The Reds boss will likely rotate for the meeting with the Championship side, although midfielder Tyler Morton will not feature after suffering a shoulder injury.
Liverpool predicted XI: Kelleher; Bradley, Quansah, Endo, Tsimikas; McConnell, Mac Allister; Elliott, Chiesa, Diaz; Nunez
How to watch Plymouth vs Liverpool for free
Saturday 8 February 2025 11:30 , Alex Young
TV channel: The game will be broadcast on ITV1, which is free to air for UK viewers. Coverage begins at 2.15pm GMT ahead of an 3pm kick-off.
Live stream: UK viewers will be able to watch for free on ITV’s streaming service ITVX.
LIVE coverage: Follow all the action with Standard Sport’s dedicated match blog.
Welcome
Saturday 8 February 2025 09:16 , Alex Young
Good morning and welcome to Standard Sport’s LIVE coverage of Liverpool’s FA Cup fourth round clash with Plymouth.
Kick-off at Home Park is at 3pm GMT on Sunday, February 9, 2025.
Stick with us for all the build-up, action and reaction.
