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Plymouth Argyle
FA Cup | Third Round
Jan 18, 2017 at 7.45pm UK
 
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Live Commentary: Plymouth Argyle 0-1 Liverpool - as it happened

Relive Sports Mole's live coverage of Liverpool's 1-0 victory over Plymouth Argyle in their FA Cup third-round replay at Home Park.
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Liverpool have progressed through to the FA Cup fourth round with a 1-0 victory away at Plymouth Argyle.

The Premier League outfit were forced to make the 600-mile round trip after a goalless draw at Anfield, but Lucas Leiva's goal - his first in 2,316 days - proved to be the difference.

After seeing off the League Two outfit, Liverpool now host Wolverhampton Wanderers in the last 32.

Read below to see how the action unfolded at Home Park.


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Hello, and welcome to Sports Mole's live coverage of the FA Cup third round replay between Plymouth Argyle and Liverpool.

When Liverpool were drawn at home to Plymouth Argyle, there was every expectation that they would make light work of the League Two outfit given the contrasting statures and positions in the English football pyramid but for 8,000 Plymouth supporters, they witnessed one of the most memorable results in the club's history as they shut out their more illustrious opponents for 90 minutes plus eight minutes of injury time. Jurgen Klopp may have named a weakened starting lineup but the record books will tell you that the Devon-based team held one of the biggest clubs in the world in front of their own supporters.

It also set up an occasion like the one at Home Park this evening. It's been some time since Argyle's stadium played host to a fixture of the magnitude of this one but a full house are set to welcome Liverpool after their long journey to the south coast. It's a venue where Plymouth have won eight of 14 league games this season and they will back themselves to add another scalp to their collection tonight.

Anyway, without further ado, let's take a look at the two teams...

PLYMOUTH ARGYLE XI: McCormick, Songo'o, Slew, Carey, Donaldson, Jervis, Bradley, Purrington, Threlkeld, Fox, Garita

PLYMOUTH ARGYLE SUBSTITUTES: Sawyer, Bulvitis, Rooney, Dorel, Tanner, Fletcher, Rose

LIVERPOOL XI: Karius, Alexander-Arnold, Gomez, Lucas, Moreno, Stewart, Ejaria, Coutinho, Woodburn, Origi, Sturridge

LIVERPOOL SUBSTITUTES: Mignolet, Klavan, Williams, Ojo, Randall, Wilson, Alves

As expected, Klopp makes numerous changes to his Liverpool starting lineup but he has selected a stronger team to the one which began the first game. Philippe Coutinho is handed his first start since recovering from an ankle injury, while Daniel Sturridge and Divock Origi are also handed the chance to stake their claim for a regular spot in attack. Ben Woodburn is one of four prospects to get another opportunity to impress, while Joe Gomez plays for the second time after a lengthy layoff.

The winners of this tie will host Wolverhampton Wanderers on Saturday, January 28. It's a game which will be televised by BT Sport so for Plymouth, the stakes are extremely high from a financial perspective. They could make in the region of half a million pound should they triumph tonight.

Coincidentally, Wolves are a team who have ditched the traditional frontpage to their matchday programmes and replaced them with a more creative look. The same can be said of Plymouth's effort this evening, which you can see is pretty spectacular!



Their sponsors Ginsters have gone one better. How good does this look (and presumably taste...)...



Going back to the Plymouth team and they have made one change to the side which started the game at Anfield, with Ryan Donaldson replacing Gary Miller. There is also a place on the bench for second-year apprentices Callum Rose and Alex Fletcher.

HEAD TO HEAD! Tonight's match represents just the 12th time that the clubs have met in a competitive fixture, with Liverpool winning five times in comparison to the two victories for Plymouth. Before the game at Anfield, the clubs had not played each other in 55 years, while Plymouth have not defeated Liverpool since 1956! It came in some style too, with Argyle running out 4-0 winners on that occasion.

Liverpool are undoubtedly the favourites for tonight's contest but they head into this game having failed to win in four matches. They've also only scored more than two goals in a game on one occasion in seven. They may be sitting in the top four in the Premier League table and have a reputation of a free-scoring team, but they haven't been having it all their own way of late.

As for Plymouth, they have lost just once in their last nine outings in all competitions. That came in a 1-0 defeat at Barnet at the start of 2017 but they have since responded with the draw on Merseyside and 4-2 victory over Stevenage at the weekend. I imagine Derek Adams will be looking for a better performance at the back than four days ago!

Adams made a name for himself in the dugout during two lengthy periods with Ross County, but he has really made a name for himself with Plymouth. In 88 games in charge, he has won over half his games, which is some effort when managing a club at any level in the Football League. If he can orchestrate a win tonight, it would come as no surprise if chairmen in League One and the Championshi start taking a look at the 41-year-old.

That record has got to end at some point, right?



PREDICTION! Despite Plymouth's best efforts at Anfield, you won't find us backing against Liverpool tonight. The return of Coutinho is a big boost to Klopp and we think the Brazilian will lead the Premier League side to a relatively comfortable 3-0 victory.

Liverpool are no strangers to this part of the world. It was only a year ago when Exeter City held them to a 2-2 draw before losing out in a replay at Anfield.

It's time for the two teams to make their way out at Home Park. We are just a few minutes from seeing if Plymouth can replicate their efforts of 10 days ago.

Liverpool get us underway.

As expected, Liverpool are quickly into their stride and a cross from Woodman also finds a teammate at the back post, only for Songo'o to get in a crucial header to clear the danger. Liverpool now have a free kick around 35 yards from goal.

The set piece from Moreno comes to nothing and it results in Plymouth threatening to launch a brisk counter-attack. Karius was on hand to clear the danger before the ball reached the penalty area.

Plymouth win a corner on the right and the inswinging delivery finds Garita on the penalty area. However, he completely miscues his header and it goes straight back to the corner taker. That was a chance.

SHOT! Sturridge has been involved in the final third at the start of this game but his first shot in anger goes a couple of yards over the crossbar. He was 25 yards out but he would have been expecting to hit the target.

CHANCE! Another chance for Liverpool and while it is another difficult one, it's one where Coutinho will be disappointed with his effort. He connected with the ball on the half-volley but he almost trod on the ball as he went for it.

Liverpool appeal for a penalty when Sturridge is felled by Threlkeld but the referee doesn't budge. It's a case of Sturridge's reputation counting against him because that really should be a spot kick.

GOAL! Plymouth Argyle 0-1 Liverpool (Lucas)

Do not rub your eyes. This has actually happened. Lucas Leiva has scored a goal - his first in seven years! A corner was whipped in from the left and Lucas got ahead of his marker to power a header into the corner.

SHOT! Nearly the perfect response from Plymouth as Carey lets fly from distance, and his shot appears to be heading for the corner until Karius dives to his left to punch the ball clear. This match is certainly heating up!

BOOKING! Plymouth's front players are starting to cause all kinds of problems for the Liverpool defence and the trickery of Slew has earned a foul and a booking out of Gomez.

SHOT! From the resulting free kick, Jervis decides to take aim from distance but he drags his shot wide of Karius's goal.

CHANCE! Liverpool come so close to a second. A raking pass from Coutinho finds the run of Alexander-Arnold, who tries to find Sturridge in the centre with a volleyed cross. However, he misses his teammates and Plymouth clear. That was almost certainly a goal if Sturridge was found.

We have through 30 minutes at Home Park and while Liverpool lead thanks to that header from Lucas, this is turning out to be a competitive game. Plymouth probably have to find an extra gear to get on the scoresheet, while they are always under threat at the back, but they are at least in this match.

CHANCE! What a move. What a chance. Or is that just good defending? An enterprising run from Threlkeld ends with a cross towards Garita, who looks as though he is about to slot home from eight yards. However, Alexander-Arnold gets back to get a foot in and put the ball behind for a corner.

You can see why Plymouth are having so much success in League Two. We got to see their defensive quality at Anfield but they look great going forward too. Liverpool have done well to remain ahead of their hosts.

Liverpool rallied to create to almost create an opening for Sturridge but a defender was able to get back to get a head on the ball before he could convert at the back post. That said, Plymouth are still ending this first half on the front foot.

Plymouth's key man Carey is struggling with an injury and he is very close to being withdrawn. It's touch and go whether his manager will give him until half time to prove his fitness.

There will be one minute of added-on time.

HALF TIME: Plymouth Argyle 0-1 Liverpool

The half-time whistle goes at Home Park and Liverpool head into the break with a narrow lead thanks to that rare goal from Lucas. He certainly celebrated like a man who had just scored for the first time in 2,316 days! Plymouth have impressed but they have work to do in the second half.

Plymouth get us back underway.

SHOT! It's been a very fast start to the second half from Plymouth. A low strike from Fox is saved by Karius before moments later, a cutback from Garita almost finds a teammate, only for Liverpool to get a clearance in to stop the chance.

BOOKING! This is the referee's easiest decision of the night. Ejaria sees Jervis jink his way past him and he decides to pull the shirt and shorts of the Plymouth player.

It's a common cliche but the next goal in this match is really that important. Plymouth are matching their Premier League opponents and probably deserve to be on level terms but if Liverpool net a second, that's probably game over.

SHOT! A pinpoint pass from Lucas finds Sturridge who is progressing into a position in the penalty area but rather than cross, he tries to volley on goal from an acute angle. There was no-one in the middle but I don't think it would have mattered if there were.

We are still awaiting the first change from either manager. Carey came out for the second half and looks to have shaken off the knock he picked up before the break.

More encouraging signs from the League Two outfit who create an opening for Slew on the edge of the area, but he attempts a one-two and the return ball has too much on it.

A long ball into Garita results in the forward drawing a foul out of both Gomez and Lucas, and Plymouth win a free kick from 25 yards. However, Carey decides to cross rather than shoot and although Bradley can get a head to the ball, Liverpool soon clear.

SUBSTITUTION! It's time for the debut of Welsh winger Harry Wilson, who comes on to replace Coutinho. I'm sure that the Brazilian is being saved for the 12.30pm kickoff against Swansea City on Saturday.

SUBSTITUTION! It's time for a Plymouth change now, as Craig Tanner comes on to take the place of Donaldson.

CHANCE! This isn't a chance but it's almost a second goal for Liverpool. McCormick completely fluffs a clearance from a back-pass and hits Wilson. However, due to how hard he struck the ball, it rebounded over the crossbar.

CHANCE! Liverpool are starting to press more and more and McCormick makes a solid save to deny Sturridge, who had played a one-two with Origi.

WOODWORK! So, so close for Plymouth! A long ball into Bradley at the back post sees the defender head across goal for Jervis, who sends a scissor-kick from 12 yards into the post, with the ball rebounding away from goal. That would have been a stunning goal.

SUBSTITUTION! A second alteration for Liverpool as Sheyi Ojo comes on for Sturridge.

SUBSTITUTION! Another change for Plymouth as Nauris Bulvitis is introduced into the action for Slew. Just 10 minutes to go at Home Park.

It still feels like there is another goal in this. Liverpool don't look all that secure at the back but the same can be said of Plymouth, who are struggling to deal with the pace of Ojo.

BOOKING! That's disappointing from Ojo. He gets booked for simulation after trying to win a foul out of Fox.

PENALTY TO LIVERPOOL!

MISS! The referee awards a penalty to Liverpool after Songo'o upends Moreno, but McCormick dives to his right to save from Origi. Plymouth are still in it!

CHANCE! Origi tries to redeem himself with a well-struck shot from the edge of the penalty area but he sends it a yard over the crossbar. McCormick wasn't saving that if it was on target. There will be four minutes of added-on time.

Plymouth are still pushing but I think they have had their final opportunity. Liverpool have the ball in their half.

FULL TIME: Plymouth Argyle 0-1 Liverpool

The full-time whistle goes at Home Park and Liverpool have just about done enough to progress through to the fourth round thanks to that early goal from Lucas. Plymouth had a couple of chances to get back on level terms but the Premier League team managed to hold on to book a date with Wolves.

That will be all from Sports Mole for this match. Thank you for joining us this evening and we hope to see you again real soon. Goodbye for now.

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A general view of the stadium prior to kickoff during the UEFA Europa League Round of 32 match between Liverpool FC and Besiktas JK at Anfield on February 19, 2015
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