Liverpool fan Graham Carey admits he can’t wait to do it all again as the midfielder helped League Two Plymouth Argyle earn an Emirates FA Cup third round replay against the Premier League giants.
The Reds dominated this first-ever FA Cup meeting between the two sides at Anfield, but despite enjoying 77 per cent possession, having 28 shots to Plymouth’s four and 18 corners without any in reply, Jurgen Klopp’s side couldn’t find a way past the Pilgrims.
But with a replay at Home Park now pencilled in the diary, Carey insisted he and his team-mates fully deserved the draw.
“We knew it was going to be tough,” said Carey. “The character and work rate that we showed today was unbelievable and if you look at the scenes behind me now it is going to be a great occasion when they come to our place.
“It was great. I have come here as a fan and the hairs have stood up on the back of my neck and today was no different.
“It was unbelievable but we stuck to the game plan and we frustrated them and fully deserved the replay.
“It’s a great day and it will be another special day when they come to Plymouth.”
Divock Origi thought he had put the Premier League side ahead on 20 minutes as he slotted home after a tussle with Gary Miller, but referee Paul Tierney pulled the ball back for a foul on the Plymouth defender.
But for all their domination, Liverpool, who were fielding their youngest starting XI ever, couldn’t find a goal in the first half despite having 80 per cent of possession.
Plymouth were able to celebrate a first shot on target after 55 minutes, but Carey’s long-range free-kick was comfortably held by Loris Karius.
In an attempt to break the deadline, Klopp called for Daniel Sturridge, Adam Lallana and Roberto Firmino off the bench, but the Pilgrims held firm, even during six minutes of time added on following an injury to Miller.
Liverpool manager Klopp said: “It is not a result we wanted but it is not frustrating as that is football.
“We started pretty well but my side lost patience too early and tried to force it and this and that.
“I didn’t see the right play at the right moment. My team couldn’t have played much better today but we didn’t so we will go to Plymouth for the first time in my life.
“We could have used speed more often but they are really young boys so it is not a problem and we will try it again against Plymouth and hopefully we can win.”
Liverpool: 1 Loris Karius, 66 Trent Alexander-Arnold, 12 Joe Gomez, 21 Lucas Leiva, 18 Alberto Moreno, 23 Emre Can, 35 Kevin Stewart, 53 Ovie Ejaria, 54 Sheyi Ojo, 58 Ben Woodburn, 27 Divock Origi
Substitutes: 15 Daniel Sturridge for Can 63, 20 Adam Lallana for Ejaria 75, 11 Roberto Firmino for Woodburn 75
Substitutes not used: 22 Simon Mignolet, 2 Nathaniel Clyne, 5 Georginio Wijnaldum, 17 Ragnar Klavan
Manager: Jurgen Klopp
Plymouth Argyle: 23 Luke McCormick, 2 Gary Miller, 4 Yann Songo’o, 15 Sonny Bradley, 16 Ben Purrington, 14 Jake Jervis, 18 Oscar Threlkeld, 24 David Fox, 10 Graham Carey, 8 Jordan Slew, 26 Paul Arnold Garita
Substitutes: 27 Craig Tanner for Garita 65, 6 Connor Smith for Miller 75
Substitutes not used: 21 Vincent Dorel, 5 Nauris Bulvitis, 7 David Goodwillie, 19 Karleigh Osborne, 20 Louis Rooney,
Manager: Derek Adams
Attendance: 52,692
Referee: Paul Tierney
