A much-changed Liverpool were dumped out of the FA Cup by struggling second-tier side Plymouth Argyle, who pulled off a stunning 1-0 fourth-round win at Home Park on Sunday that put an end to the visitors’ hopes of a quadruple.

The hosts took the lead in the 53rd minute after they were awarded a penalty for a handball by midfielder Harvey Elliott and Ryan Hardie stepped up to send Liverpool goalkeeper Caoimhin Kelleher the wrong way.

Premier League leaders Liverpool were bereft of ideas and had just one shot on target in the opening half, with Plymouth keeper Conor Hazard making a diving save in the 36th minute to keep out James McConnell’s long-range shot.

Ahead of the Merseyside derby against Everton on Wednesday, Liverpool made wholesale changes with Mohamed Salah, Virgil van Dijk, Alisson Becker and Alexis Mac Allister among the big-names rested and left at home.

Liverpool, who were also forced into an early change when defender Joe Gomez went down injured, failed to create many chances in a scrappy encounter as Plymouth, who sit bottom of the second-tier Championship, gradually grew in confidence.

Arne Slot’s side switched gears after going down but Hazard proved to be the hero for Plymouth as the Northern Irishman brilliantly kept out Diogo Jota’s volley in added time, as well as a header from Darwin Nunez.

With Liverpool top of the Premier League, having strolled into the Champions League’s last 16 and reached the League Cup final, some fans and pundits had begun to speculate about a potential quadruple.

Plymouth’s remarkable victory, however, brought a shuddering halt to talk of clean sweep of silverware for Slot’s side, who had only lost three games all season, prior to Sunday.

Meanwhile, there was no surprise in the other FA Cup fourth-round tie with Premier League Wolverhampton Wanderers beating second-tier Championship side Blackburn Rovers 2-0 at Ewood Park.

There was little to separate the two teams in the opening minutes before Wolves hit Blackburn with two rapid-fire goals through midfielder Joao Gomes in the 33rd minute and seconds later via forward Matheus Cunha.

Blackburn defender Dominic Hyam had the ball in the back of the net in the 19th minute, but his celebrations were cut short when the linesman’s flag went up for offside.

-Reuters

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Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta said he could not be prouder of his players despite crashing out of the FA Cup to 10-man Manchester United on penalties on Jan 12.

The Gunners enjoyed a man advantage for over an hour after Diogo Dalot was booked twice early in the second half.

Bruno Fernandes had fired United in front but Arsenal levelled within seconds of Dalot’s departure through Gabriel Magalhaes.

However, a familiar lack of killer instinct in front of goal cost Arteta’s men as another chance to end a five-year trophy drought slipped by.

Martin Odegaard saw a penalty saved by Altay Bayindir before Kai Havertz and Declan Rice missed huge chances to win the tie in 90 minutes.

After a goalless 30 minutes of extra time, Havertz was the only player who failed to score in the shoot-out as United’s reserve goalkeeper Bayindir made another splendid save.

“It was unbelievable,” said Arteta. “(Based on) the performance we deserved to win the game by a mile, but the reality is that we are out and the only thing we will be judged on is that.”

Arsenal have finished second to Manchester City in each of the past two Premier League seasons.

But they have so far failed to live up to expectations this campaign to kick on to another level.

Arsenal trail Liverpool, who also have a game in hand, by six points in the Premier League title race and were beaten 2-0 at home by Newcastle in the first leg of their League Cup semi-final.

Arteta, though, launched a passionate defence of his squad with one eye on the north London derby against Tottenham on Jan 15.

“I love my players, I love our team and I love how good they are,” added the Spaniard.

“In 1,000 games (like this) you lose one and it was this one. But it is part of our industry, our game and we move on because we don’t have time and on Wednesday we have a massive one.”

Victory was another sign of progress for United boss Ruben Amorim after his side came from behind to secure a 2-2 draw at Liverpool last weekend.

The Red Devils had to defend for long spells even before going down to 10 men.

“We have to compete no matter what the situation and we competed today,” said Amorim.

“They had more chances but I think we deserved to win the way we played and the way we fought.”

United’s reward for reaching round four is a meeting with a familiar face as Leicester boss Ruud van Nistelrooy returns to Old Trafford.

The Dutchman took charge for four matches as caretaker boss prior to Amorim’s arrival in November.

Amorim decided against retaining Van Nistelrooy as part of his coaching staff but said he is looking forward to speaking again to United’s legendary former striker.

“I’m looking forward to speaking with him. He’s a class guy,” added Amorim.

“But we need to win! Maybe he will be divided – he loves this club!”

-AFP

Joshua Zirkzee scored the winning penalty for 10-man Manchester United against Arsenal after their hectic FA Cup third-round tie finished 1-1 after extra time at the Emirates Stadium on Sunday.

Arsenal’s Kai Havertz was the only one of the first four penalty takers to miss, denied by a brilliant stop from Altay Bayindir, before Zirkzee – booed off in a defeat by Newcastle United last month – stepped up to win the shootout 5-3.

After an underwhelming first half, United took the lead in the 52nd minute through Bruno Fernandes’ curling effort from just inside the box after a great run by Alejandro Garnacho.

The game turned on its head 10 minutes later though, as United’s Diogo Dalot – already booked for a wild challenge on Myles Lewis-Skelly – received a second yellow card for a reckless tackle on Mikel Merino.

Two minutes later, Bayindir’s poor attempted punch fell at the feet of Gabriel, whose shot took a wicked deflection off Matthijs de Ligt and in to put the Gunners in charge of the tie.

Arsenal could have completed the comeback when they were awarded a questionable penalty after Havertz went down under minimal contact from Harry Maguire.

But Bayindir produced a superb save from Arsenal captain Martin Odegaard, before the Gunners spurned several chances to score a winner.

United will find out their opponent in the fourth round when the draw is made later on Sunday evening.

-Reuters

Arsenal’s Declan Rice scores a penalty past Manchester United’s Altay Bayindir. Emirates Stadium, London, January 12, 2025. REUTERS/David Klein

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