Liverpool manager Arne Slot has admitted he was left “hurt” by his team’s shock FA Cup exit following a 1-0 defeat to Plymouth Argyle.
However, Slot conceded that the Championship strugglers “deserved” their victory.
Ryan Hardie converted from the penalty spot after the break, as the referee penalised Harvey Elliott for handling the ball inside the box.
Slot made 10 changes from the Carabao Cup win over Tottenham Hotspur in midweek and watched his team fail to dominate the match.
“It was a great game from Plymouth,” Slot told ITV after the game.
“Good game plan. They deserve all the credit for their performance today. We were not having a very good day, and this result was the outcome.
“I don’t think I can say the boys didn’t fight because the boys fought for 100 minutes. Both teams hardly created a chance, and then the game was decided by a penalty, which was awarded correctly because [Elliott] had his arms above his head.
“In a game like this, when the two teams hardly have any chances, any openings, it’s up to one moment, and today that moment was for them. Like I said, they deserved it because they played a really good game.”
Slot rested a number of key players on Sunday afternoon, with the likes of Virgil van Dijk, Ryan Gravenberch, and Mohamed Salah not even travelling to the south coast.
Liverpool’s next fixture is against local rivals Everton, and a win would see them move nine points clear at the top of the Premier League table.