Full Time: Plymouth 1-0 LiverpoolLiverpool player ratings vs Plymouth: Diogo Jota and Luis Diaz completely flop! Reds go crashing out of FA Cup after putting up miserable fight in humiliating loss to rock-bottom Championship strugglers

Liverpool player ratings vs Plymouth: Diogo Jota and Luis Diaz completely flop! Reds go crashing out of FA Cup after putting up miserable fight in humiliating loss to rock-bottom Championship strugglers

The Reds were beaten by the Championship strugglers and have subsequently been dumped out of the FA Cup.

Liverpool boss Arne Slot rotated heavily for this FA Cup fourth round clash with Plymouth, making nine changes, but it backfired in spectacular fashion at Home Park on Sunday afternoon.

Within the first 10 minutes, the visitors were dealt an injury blow, with Joe Gomez sustaining what appeared to be a muscle problem. He was replaced by debutant Isaac Mabaya, although he would later be substituted himself.

The first half saw the Reds struggle for fluency, with Plymouth’s defending compactly, and pressing aggressively when the opportunity arose. They deservedly took their esteemed visitors into half-time at 0-0.

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Plymouth were given a golden chance to take the lead early in the second half, as Harvey Elliott handled the ball in the penalty area. A spot-kick was given, and Ryan Hardie sent Caoimhin Kelleher the wrong way to give the hosts a scarcely believable lead.

On the hour mark, Plymouth almost had a second, but Kelleher stuck a boot out to deny Hardie at his near post.

Arne Slot rang the changes, introducing Darwin Nunez, but Liverpool were held at arm’s length by a gritty, determined Plymouth side, even through a staggering nine minutes of added time, as the hosts pulled off a truly historic FA Cup shock.

GOAL rates Liverpool’s players from Home Park…

Goalkeeper & Defence

Caoimhin Kelleher (6/10):

Sent the wrong way by Hardie’s penalty. Made a very good save to deny the striker a second. Let down by Elliott’s schoolboy error.

Joe Gomez (N/A):

Lasted eight minutes before needing to be substituted. A bitterly disappointing day.

Wataru Endo (7/10):

A senior player and led by example. Dominated in the air, and is always willing to snap into a tackle. The only Liverpool player to come away with any credit.

Jarell Quansah (4/10):

Struggled up against Plymouth’s physical attackers. Dribbled the ball out of play twice; the atmosphere got to him.

Kostas Tsimikas (5/10):

Pushed up when he could but had a limited impact due to Plymouth’s heroic backline.

Midfield

Trey Nyoni (6/10):

Booked early on for a late challenge in midfield. Only 17 and covered plenty of ground, to limited effect. Replaced by Trent Kone-Doherty in the second half.

James McConnell (4/10):

Struggled with the pace of the game and his passing was all too inconsistent. Did have to move position into defence after Gomez’s injury but a struggle nonetheless.

Harvey Elliott (4/10):

So front-footed in his pressing that he almost blocked a clearance from Plymouth’s goalkeeper. Terrible mistake to give away the penalty – his hands were up, and he could have no complaints.

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Attack

Federico Chiesa (3/10):

Offered next to nothing down the right flank. It’s in games like this when your senior players have to step up; Chiesa did not.

Diogo Jota (4/10):

Forced to feed off scraps as Liverpool’s youthful midfield struggled with ball progression. A late volley was his only sight of goal, and pulled a brilliant save from Conor Hazard.

Luis Diaz (4/10):

Tried to make things happen but Liverpool’s entire attacking unit struggled. Diaz was no different.

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Subs & Manager

Isaac Mabaya (5/10):

Replaced Gomez and slotted in at right-back. Booked for kicking the ball away in the first half. Subbed in the second half for Nunez. A confusing day for the youngster.

Darwin Nunez (5/10):

On for Mabaya at 1-0 down. Flashed a shot wide when he did have an opening and also saw an injury-time header saved.

Trent Kone-Doherty (N/A):

Came on in the second half for Nyoni. One promising dribble but did not have enough time.

Arne Slot (3/10):

A rotated FA Cup XI is a good idea provided you win. Liverpool lost. So this looks like a self-inflicted wound for Slot, a rare bump in a road that has been remarkably smooth up to this point. The Reds can brush it off, undoubtedly, but this was an embarrassing display from a team that has been in electric form this season.