Ryan Hardie admitted a burden had been lifted off his shoulders after his goal secured a stunning Emirates FA Cup win for Plymouth Argyle against Premier League leaders Liverpool.

The Pilgrims' striker, whose four-year-old son Arthur was one of the mascots for the fourth round tie at Home Park, got the all important strike from the penalty spot early in the second half. Hardie held his nerve in front of a packed and expectant Devonport End as he slotted into the net, with Liverpool goalkeeper Caoimhin Kelleher diving the opposite way.

It came almost exactly three years since Hardie also stepped up to take a penalty for Argyle against top Premier League opposition in another FA Cup fourth round tie, when they played Chelsea at Stamford Bridge in February 2022.

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Had he scored that spot kick, which came near the end of extra-time, the Pilgrims would likely have taken the then European champions to a penalty shot-out. Instead, it was saved by Kepa Arrizabalaga and the Blues held on to win 2-1 against their League One opponents.

The memory of that came back to Hardie on Saturday night, on the eve of the visit of Liverpool, but there was a different outcome this time when he calmly tucked the ball into the net from 12 yards out.

Asked where Argyle's famous victory over the eight times FA Cup winners ranked in his career, Hardie said: "It has got to be right up there for sure. It's just a bit of a dream come true to be honest playing them at this stage of the season, where they are in the league etc. To beat them, it's one that will never let go."

Hardie explained he had not felt under pressure as he prepared to take the penalty, which was awarded for handball by Liverpool's Harvey Elliott. "At the time I don't really get the nerves," he said. "I'm confident every time I'm going to smash it in.

"The thing that got me was last night I thought back to the Chelsea game and I was 'Oh my God if we get a pen tomorrow what if the same thing happens?' To get it and smash it in that takes everything away. I was glad it went in."

Hardie soon moved on from the penalty save against Chelsea by completing a hat-trick in a 4-1 League One win at Crewe Alexandra only three days later and it had not played on his mind since then.

"It hasn't at all, honestly, until last night," he said. "I thought it's another Prem opposition and if it happens again what's everyone going to think of me? So to get that off my shoulder, I'm delighted."

Another reason for him to be delighted was that his young son was among the Argyle mascots and the pair celebrated together on the pitch after Hardie had completed some immediate post-match interviews.

Arthur even appeared on the big screen inside Home Park in the build-up to the cup tie and made a very bold prediction for Argyle to beat Liverpool 10-0.

Hardie said: "My son was mascot today and he came up on the screen doing a little interview and it set me off before the game. It brought tears to my eyes. It was a special, special moment.

"I think he said that Argyle would win 10," Hardie added. "I'm going to give him it. I'm going to say the one and the zero makes 10, so that's fine. We will do that."

Hardie practices taking penalties every day in training and against Liverpool he remembered a valuable lesson which he learned r his spot kick at Chelsea was saved, wehixch

He said: "You have got to commit to a side and you have got to hit it there. Today I picked the right side and it went in. I'm delighted to get it done."

There was one downside to scoring his spot kick against Liverpool, though. His knee slide celebration in front of the Devonport End opened up a wound from a gashed left knee which he suffered in the 3-3 home Championship draw against Middlesbrough four days before Christmas.

He said: "I think I have got in trouble from the doctors, my scar has now opened up again on my knee, but I'm not bothered about that. I will get a plaster on it, it will be alright."

Not only did Hardie get the winning goal against Liverpool, he also exchanged shirts after the game with the Reds' Uruguay international striker Darwin Nunez, who has the same squad number of nine as him.

"It will go on my wall, one of the great shirts that I have got," said the Argyle striker. "He's a fantastic player and to get the number nine shirt it's a good swap for me."

Hardie and his team-mates must now gear themselves up for an important Championship match against Millwall at Home Park on Wednesday night as they try to climb off the bottom of the table. Before then, though, there is the FA Cup fifth round draw taking place tonight.

"I would love Man United, take them here and have another go at it," he said. "We will be looking at the draw closely but most importantly Wednesday night is coming around the corner now."

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