Abject. Liverpool were utterly abject. Devoid of intent, purpose, energy, and ultimately, quality. Of course, sitting on top of the Premier League and having already made it to one cup final, perhaps it’s not that important. However, it’s surely unacceptable that so many of Liverpool’s more senior professionals turned up as if it really didn’t matter. Experienced professionals let down those youngsters around them. Plymouth deserved their 1-0 victory and the Pilgrims travels in the FA Cup continue into the fifth round.
From the outset, with a much-changed team, Liverpool simply didn’t look up for the fight. Plymouth were quicker to the ball and, more surprisingly, showed better ability on the ball. Ponderous at the back, particularly after an injury to Joe Gomez forced him to leave the pitch, immobile in midfield and non-existent up front, Liverpool offered nothing. Harvey Elliot and Kostas Tsimikas demonstrating just why they don’t play that often, whilst the youngsters in the middle of an admittedly bobbly pitch, simply lacked the physicality to compete.
Ultimately the game was decided by a stonewall penalty, Elliot playing basketball with his arms stretched high in the air. He complained, but frankly had no excuse. Even conceding with more than 30 minutes remaining didn’t shake Liverpool from their slumber. It was as if they’d forgotten the aim of football is to score goals.
Arne Slot made changes, but perhaps too late. Darwin Nunez was introduced with 20 minutes left, but not until the final 15 minutes did Liverpool look like they might score. Luis Diaz, Federico Chiesa and the usually reliable Diogo Jota continued to struggle to impose themselves on a Championship defence which has conceded more than 60 goals this season. However, it shouldn’t pass without comment that, for the most part, the front three were shocking.
Yes, Liverpool might have snatched an equaliser in the final minutes, but their goalkeeper thwarted both Jota and Nunez, as Home Park watched on nervously with nine minutes of added on time. Plymouth hung on, thoroughly deserving their victory. Meanwhile, Slot may well have learnt something about a few players who let him, and the club, down today.
