Plymouth 0 Liverpool 1: Match report
Argyle are out of the Emirates FA Cup.
Out, but not down.
The Pilgrims they will receive the plaudits of a nation for their battling display against Liverpool, in which the Reds edged past Argyle at a packed Home Park, winning 1-0 thanks to a Lucas Leiva header. The talk will all be about Argyle, though, as they did themselves proud, battling to the very last in an evening that will be remembered as a proud occasion rather than a slim defeat.
After a superb defensive display at Anfield ten days earlier, Derek Adams opted for a similar 11 to that of Saturday's 4-2 victory over Stevenage, with his only change the inclusion of Ryan Donaldson who was returning from injury, for the injured Connor Smith, who was still out with an ankle problem he picked up in a tackle that kick-started the counter attack for Argyle's fourth on Saturday. Adams included 17-year-old Alex Fletcher and 18-year-old Callum Rose on the Argyle bench, also.
Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp made nine changes from his side that drew 1-1 at Old Trafford just three days ago. Compared to his eleven that played against Argyle at Anfield there were two differences, with Phillipe Coutinho and Daniel Sturridge replacing Emre Can and Sheyi Ojo.
The stage was set. For the second time. If Anfield had provided comfort for Jurgen's men, then Home Park would provide splinters in the side. 54,000 people had witnessed history at Anfield as Argyle played the role of David, whilst Liverpool boasted the stature of Goliath but struggled to prove their dominance on the field.
This was different though. A crammed Home Park on a Wednesday night. This was Liverpool stripped back to their bare bones, against a determined Argyle team being roared on by a sea of green. Argyle once again had their wall of noise and this time it echoed from all corners. Everything was in place to unsettle Jurgen's superstars, but it wasn't going to happen. Was it?
The Pilgrims started well. With the Green Army behind them, Argyle seemed happy to attack. In the same breathe, the Pilgrims were more than aware of their defensive duties. The Reds controlled the ball, and moved it at pace. The Greens sat deep once more.
Liverpool won a corner on the left with just under 20 minutes played, as Jake Jervis blocked an Alberto Moreno cross. Phillipe Coutinho took the corner and whipped in a cross to the front post. Time stood still for a moment, as did Argyle's defence, as a bursting run from Lucas Leiva surpassed multiple green shirts, and the Brazilian headed past a helpless Luke McCormick in the Argyle goal for the opener.
Home Park reacted though, and invigorated the Greens. A Graham Carey shot beamed across the face of Loris Karius from left to right and was punched away by Liverpool's number one. The ball fell back to Argyle, and ping-ponged around Liverpool's box, but at the crucial moment Donaldson couldn't get his shot away.
The Pilgrims surged forwards once more. A wide lofted ball to the right saw Jervis beat Moreno to the header and find the feet of Oscar Threlkeld. The Argyle right-back poked the ball past the last line of the Liverpool defence and chased his pass to the right wing. Threlkeld played a low ball across the face of the Liverpool goal and was attacked by an under pressure Arnold Garita, who's tame shot was turned away for an Argyle corner.
Whilst the Reds always looked menacing on the break, Argyle had added a composure and an intent to their play. The half-time whistle brought the end to a mixed half; whilst Liverpool's opener will frustrate Adams, Argyle were shifting the ball with confidence and looked a genuine threat.
Read the full report here: http://www.pafc.co.uk/fixtures-results/match-report/index.aspx?matchid=3...
