Arne Slot made the bold decision to field a heavily rotated Liverpool side for their FA Cup tie against Plymouth Argyle. Despite the presence of a couple of senior players on the bench, only Darwin Núñez saw any game time, while Curtis Jones remained unused throughout the match. Liverpool ultimately suffered a shocking defeat to the Championship’s bottom club, and after the match, Slot revealed the reason behind Jones’ absence.
Speaking to *Liverpoolfc.com*, the Dutch manager explained that Jones had approached him on the morning of the game to say he did not feel fully recovered from the previous day’s training session. This left Slot with even fewer experienced options than anticipated, forcing him to rely on young and inexperienced players more than initially planned. Despite this, he still believed there was enough quality in the squad to secure a better result, making his frustration with the team’s display evident.
Liverpool’s performance was widely criticized, with club legend Robbie Fowler calling it “un-Liverpool-like.” The team struggled to create meaningful opportunities for most of the game and only looked genuinely dangerous in the final moments when they adopted a more direct attacking approach. By then, it was too little, too late.
Among the substitutes, Darwin Núñez was eventually introduced in the latter stages of the match. The Uruguayan striker made an immediate impact and nearly salvaged a draw for his team, but Liverpool ultimately failed to find an equalizer. Their early exit from the FA Cup was a major disappointment, particularly given the stature of their opponents, who currently sit at the bottom of the Championship.
Slot’s decision to rest key players suggests he had one eye on Liverpool’s upcoming fixtures. With five Premier League matches crammed into a grueling 15-day period, the manager likely prioritized maintaining the squad’s freshness for their title challenge over advancing in the FA Cup.
If Liverpool manage to win the Premier League in May, this defeat will likely be little more than a forgotten footnote in an otherwise successful campaign. However, for now, the loss represents a frustrating missed opportunity, and supporters will hope it does not disrupt the team’s impressive momentum. The focus will now shift back to the league, where Slot’s side will need to respond positively to ensure their season continues on a high note.
