3 Liverpool Players Who Struggled in FA Cup Shock Defeat to Plymouth

Liverpool’s FA Cup Hopes Shattered in Stunning Upset

Liverpool’s quest for domestic silverware took a major hit as they suffered a shock 1-0 defeat to Championship strugglers Plymouth Argyle. Arne Slot’s heavily rotated side failed to break down a determined Plymouth team, ultimately bowing out of the competition after Ryan Hardie’s second-half penalty.

Despite leaving out key stars like Virgil van Dijk, Mohamed Salah, Cody Gakpo, and Alexis Mac Allister, Liverpool still fielded experienced names such as Luis Diaz, Federico Chiesa, and Diogo Jota. However, the Premier League leaders lacked energy, creativity, and intensity—leading to one of the most surprising FA Cup exits in recent years.

While the defeat won’t define Liverpool’s season, three players in particular delivered underwhelming performances that could leave a lasting impression on Slot.

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1. Federico Chiesa – A Night to Forget

Federico Chiesa arrived at Liverpool with big expectations, but performances like this won’t help his case for more minutes under Slot. The Italian winger, once a star at Euro 2020, struggled to influence the game, showing little creativity or composure.

Chiesa failed to beat his markers, didn’t provide dangerous deliveries into the box, and lacked the explosiveness that once made him one of Europe’s most exciting attackers. While Luis Diaz also underperformed on the opposite flank, Chiesa was particularly ineffective. If he wants to cement his place in Liverpool’s attack, he must deliver far better displays.

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2. Diogo Jota – A Shadow of His Former Self

Diogo Jota has been an important figure for Liverpool over the years, but his recent performances raise questions about his long-term role at the club.

Against Plymouth, Jota was completely neutralized. His movement was predictable, he lost possession 11 times, and his passing accuracy stood at a shocking 39%. Without his trademark bursts of pace and sharp link-up play, he struggled to impact the game in any meaningful way.

With rumors suggesting Liverpool could be open to selling him in the summer, Jota will need to rediscover his best form quickly to secure his future at Anfield.

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3. Harvey Elliott – A Costly Mistake

Harvey Elliott has spoken about his ambition to play a bigger role at Liverpool, but matches like this are where he needs to step up. Instead, the 21-year-old was largely anonymous, failing to take control in midfield.

His expected goals (0.02) and expected assists (0.04) tell the story of an ineffective attacking display. Worse yet, he conceded the decisive penalty with a needless handball, a costly error that ultimately sent Liverpool crashing out of the competition.

If Elliott wants to convince Slot that he deserves more first-team opportunities, he must seize moments like this rather than fade into the background.

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What’s Next for Liverpool?

Despite this disappointing FA Cup exit, Liverpool remain in contention for the Premier League title and the Carabao Cup. But with fixtures piling up, Slot will need to rethink his squad rotations and ensure his players are ready for the challenges ahead.

What do you think Liverpool need to do to bounce back from this defeat? Should Slot make changes to his squad selection? Let us know in the comments!