Liverpool 0-0 Plymouth: Jurgen Klopp's kids held at home as League Two high-flyers force FA Cup replay

• e-mail

For 96 minutes here, Plymouth and Liverpool were on the same playing field, literally and metaphorically. On Anfield's lush green acres, there was nothing between them.

After the final whistle, though, reality dawned. Liverpool returned to being a giant of European football and Plymouth to being the best team in Devon. Perhaps it was with this in mind, then, that Plymouth centre forward Paul-Arnold Garita approached Jurgen Klopp and appeared to ask him for a souvenir in the tunnel.

To someone like Garita – on loan from Bristol City and formerly of Chateauroux in the French third division – the manager of Liverpool is probably someone he only ever thought he would see on the TV. Now, after this terrific performance from the League Two team, he will get to see him face to face once again in a replay at Home Park in a couple of weeks' time.

Divock Origi thought he had opened the scoring for Liverpool in the first half but his effort was ruled out for a foul

Emre Can attempts a free kick effort on goal only to see it cannon off the Plymouth wall and away from the net

Teenager Ben Woodburn saw a left footed effort on goal stopped by Luke McCormick in the Plymouth goal

Divock Origi saw a tame set piece effort strike the bottom of the wall during a frustrating first half for the hosts

Graham Carey had Plymouth's first shot on the target in the second half but his free kick was too close to Loris Karius

MATCH FACTS, RATINGS AND MATCH ZONE 

LIVERPOOL (4-2-3-1) Karius 6; Alexander-Arnold 6, Gomez 6, Lucas 6, Moreno 6.5; Emre Can 7 (Sturridge 61mins 7), Stewart 6.5; Ojo 6, Ejaria 6 (Lallana 75, 6), Woodburn 6 (Firmino 75, 6) ; Origi 6

Subs not used: Clyne, Wijnaldum, Klavan, Mignolet 

PLYMOUTH ARGYLE (4-3-2-1) McCormick 7.5; Miller 7 (Smith 75, 6), Songo'o 7, Bradley 6.5, Purrington 6.5 ; Threkeld 7, Fox 7, Carey 7; Jervis 7, Garita 7 (Tanner 64), Slew 6.5

Subs not used: Bulvitis, Goodwillie, Osborne, Rooney, Dorel 

Referee: Paul Tierney 7

Attendance: 52,692 

MOM: Luke McCormick  

Kevin Stewart saw a lot of the ball in the middle of the park for Liverpool. CLICK HERE for more from MATCH ZONE

That, in essence, is what afternoons like this are all about. There will be much conversation now about the team that Klopp picked for Liverpool. It was – he was informed afterwards – the youngest in the club's history.

'What even with Lucas in it?' he smiled.

On reflection, the Liverpool manager's decision backfired a little. After a congestion of the holiday fixtures, Klopp now has a 300-mile trip to the south coast to contemplate as part of a period that already comprises Premier League games with Manchester United and Chelsea and a two-legged League Cup semi-final against Southampton.

So, there is much for Klopp to think about but these stories should never be about the big club. There are not enough upsets in modern football, it is much too ordered in favour of the wealthy, for us to allow one to slip by unheralded.

This may not have been a victory for Plymouth but it was nevertheless an FA Cup shock from the very best traditions and no wonder 8,000 supporters from Plymouth made such a racket at full-time. This was a day out that would have started and ended in darkness and as such they are very much deserving of their moment and indeed the one that will follow when the two teams meet again.

In many ways, it was a strange game. Normally results such as this come about on the back of missed chances by the bigger club and some inspired performances from members of the opposition. Often, the woodwork is involved too.

Here at sunny Anfield, there was none of this. There was no drama and nothing particularly heroic from any one individual in Plymouth colours. Instead, we witnessed a perfectly executed game plan devised by Plymouth manager Derek Adams.

The Scot – whose team sit second in League Two but still 67 places behind Liverpool – was as straight forward has had been his team's football when he spoke afterwards. He brought his team here to smother Liverpool and hope for a break at the other end. It sounds easy but it isn't and the reason it came off was that his players executed perfectly and Liverpool's young team had neither the wit or the fortune required to break Plymouth down. 

Liverpool captain for the day Lucas Leiva heads at goal as the hosts continued their search for an opening goal

Sheyi Ojo came close to opening Liverpool's account but could not get a toe onto Daniel Sturridge's cross

Taking an aerial photograph of the field would have been illuminating. More often or not, it would have shown nine Plymouth outfield players compressed in to a 40-yard space in front of their own goal and then a gap of another 20 yards or so between them and centre forward Garita.

On TV, former Liverpool player Steve McManaman questioned the tactics but the end justified the means. This is part of the skill of the football coach. You simply can't come to a place like Anfield and tell your players just to go out and enjoy themselves. You have to have a plan and Plymouth's was as carefully prepared as it was well executed.

Liverpool were disappointing. It was exciting to see young prospects Ben Woodburn and Trent Alexander Arnold in the Liverpool team. Divock Origi has been great to watch at times this season also.

But here there was no youthful inspiration, just examples of current limitations. This happens to young players, it was just a shame that so many under-performed in one go. 

Divock Origi headed wide as Liverpool searched in vain for the opening goal against a spirited Plymouth side

Daniel Sturridge shoots wide of the near post as Liverpool were held to a stalemate by League Two Plymouth

To recap, Liverpool had a goal disallowed in the first half – Origi fouled Gary Miller before finishing – and brought a handful of routine saves from Plymouth goalkeeper Luke McCormick. But McCormick gets the man of the match award here not for anything spectacular, more for the organisation and sense of calm he brought to the defence he marshalled so well.

For the first half, Plymouth offered nothing going forwards. In truth, they didn't really try to attack. At the interval, there would not have been a mark on Garcia's shorts.

But as time wore on, the underdogs did turn the game in to a contest. Loris Karius saved a Graham Carey free-kick and substitute Craig Tanner worried Liverpool sporadically with some sharp pace and the courage to take a player on.

The game did stretch a little and as a consequence the atmosphere became a little rarer. Klopp joked afterwards that the home fans would have been excused an early departure but that would have been wrong. Plymouth deserved to take their bow in front of a full house and that was what happened. 

Daniel Sturridge replaced Emre Can in the second half as Jurgen Klopp pushed for a winner for the Premeir League side

The Liverpool manager then introduced Roberto Firmino and Adam Lallana into the action as Plymouth continued to frustrate

Plymouth defender Gary Miller had to receive some oxygen in the second half after suffering a horror injury

Liverpool midfielder Ovie Ejaria attempts to find a team-mate but is denied by a sliding tackle from Oscar Threlkeld

Trent Alexander-Arnold whips a ball across the box as Plymouth's Jordan Slew attempts to block his effort

Ovie Ejaria's effort on goal strikes an opposition player in the crowded box as Liverpool pushed for an opener

Liverpool defender Joe Gomez sends Plymouth's Jordan Spew flying during a rare foray forward from the League Two side

Liverpool midfielder Emre Can is beaten to the ball by Plymouth's David Fox as they challenge in the air

Sheyi Ojo returned to the starting XI for Liverpool as he made his first appearance of the season due to injury

Paul Arnold Garita tangles with Liverpool midfielder Kevin Stewart for the ball during the opening stages

Oscar Threlkeld keeps the ball for Plymouth as Liverpool full back Alberto Moreno monitors the situation

Liverpool's German midfielder Emre Can takes a tumble as he attempts to take the ball off Plymouth's Sonny Bradley

Jurgen Klopp and his opposite number Derek Adams watch on from the touchline during the FA Cup third round tie

Plymouth fans travelled north in great numbers for their giant killing attempt in the third round of the FA Cup

The fans of the League Two outfit were in fine voice as they made the trip up north to Merseyside on Sunday

The away fans shield their airs from the midwinter sun as Lucas Leiva looks to move Liverpool forward with the ball

Adams acknowledges the travelling Plymouth supporters after his side's impressive goalless draw at Anfield

Klopp congratulates Plymouth's Ben Purrington following the conclusion of the third round FA Cup clash on Sunday