Plymouth hold Liverpool at Anfield

Liverpool face a 600-mile round trip next week, after Jurgen Klopp's men were held to a goalless draw at Anfield by fourth-tier club Plymouth Argyle in the FA Cup third round.

Argyle manager Derek Adams set up his side with 11 men behind the ball, allowing the Premier League side to dominate possession in midfield.

But, with their main creative players rested ahead of the EFL Cup semi-final first leg against Southampton on Wednesday and Sunday's Premier League visit to Manchester United, Liverpool struggled to break down the League Two high-fliers' defence.

Liverpool had half-chances in the first half, with Sheyi Ojo failing to get a clean connection on a 15th minute header six yards out, and Ben Woodburn seeing a shot saved by Luke McCormick.

But, it was mostly torpid stuff from the home side, unbeaten at Anfield for almost a year, as Plymouth became only the third team since the start of 2016, after West Ham, in the FA Cup fourth round in January, and Manchester United, to claim a clean sheet in L4.

Daniel Sturridge, on as a 62nd minute substitute for Emre Can, looked a threat with his movement for Liverpool but Plymouth managed to hold on to secure a historic replay at Home Park next week.

The only low point for the 9,000 Argyle supporters, who were on the road at four o'clock this morning, was a nasty-looking ankle injury to defender Gary Miller, who required oxygen and left the field on a stretcher.

Liverpool's fourth goalless draw in their last five FA Cup ties at Anfield ensures a busy January for Klopp and his players.

With an FA Cup replay and a two-legged EFL Cup semi-final against Southampton to come, the Reds now face playing nine matches between New Year's Eve and 31 January.

Photo (Getty Images/ Dan Mullan)

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