Liverpool manager Arne Slot pointed out that Plymouth Argyle deployed a similar approach to Manchester United during their shock FA Cup fourth round victory on Sunday afternoon.

Argyle earned a memorable 1-0 win at Home Park courtesy of Ryan Hardie’s second-half penalty. The Reds, who had made ten changes from the side that thrashed Tottenham Hotspur in the Carabao Cup on Thursday night, struggled to create any notable chances until stoppage time, belatedly forcing Conor Hazard into a couple of saves at the death.

The Championship strugglers held firm to book their place in the fifth round, while Slot was left with an unfamiliar feeling of frustration.

“You never know what would happen if we played with our starters,” the Liverpool boss fretted. “We have seen a few times this season that it is a game plan that is difficult for our starters but also for the ones that played today.

“Constant long ball, second ball, long ball, second ball. It’s difficult for every team. We had this at home to United as well for example they had a similar playing style going to a very low block and kicking every ball long. And then [that day] we played with our starters.”

Slot was referring to an unexpected 2-2 draw with Manchester United at Anfield in early January. The Red Devils also managed to keep Liverpool goalless before taking a surprise lead through Lisandro Martinez. Cody Gakpo and Mohamed Salah scored for the Merseyside giants on that occasion but neither was included in Slot’s much-changed squad on Sunday.

“I think today we show why we played with those ones who played today because these players need game rhythm as well to be ready in the upcoming months,” the Dutch boss added in defence of his selection decisions. “You saw today some of these players really need games like this to be ready for the last three months of the season.”

United could draw Plymouth in the fifth round after controversially finding a way past Leicester City on Friday evening.