Liverpool’s ambitions of securing a historic quadruple were shattered on Sunday following a shocking 1-0 defeat to Championship strugglers Plymouth Argyle in the FA Cup fourth round.
Arne Slot’s men, who recently secured a place in the Carabao Cup final after defeating Tottenham, failed to replicate their success in another domestic competition. The loss not only ended their FA Cup run but also eliminated any hopes of winning all four major trophies this season.
Gomez Injury Adds to Liverpool’s Woes
The Reds’ miserable afternoon was further compounded by an injury to defender Joe Gomez, who was forced off just 11 minutes into the match. The England international appeared to clutch his hamstring after a sprint, prompting an early substitution.
After the game, Slot provided an update, admitting uncertainty about the severity of Gomez’s injury.
“I am not too sure if it was the same leg, but I haven’t had time to ask him,” the Liverpool boss said. “It’s not torn, I assume, but it didn’t feel good for him.”
Slot also revealed that Curtis Jones was unavailable despite being named on the bench, further limiting his squad options.
Squad Rotation Backfires for Slot
In a bid to manage squad fitness amid a hectic schedule, Slot opted to rest several key players, including Mohamed Salah, Trent Alexander-Arnold, Alexis Mac Allister, and Virgil van Dijk. However, the decision ultimately backfired, as the heavily rotated squad failed to break down Plymouth’s resilient defense.
Despite this setback, Liverpool remain in contention for the Premier League, Carabao Cup, and Champions League. Their next challenge will be a crucial league fixture against Everton on Wednesday, February 12, as they look to bounce back from their FA Cup disappointment.
Meanwhile, in transfer news, captain Virgil van Dijk is reportedly making progress in negotiations over a new contract with the club.
