The Insider: Hats Off To The Hatters

Luton Town 1-1 Liverpool
FA Cup, Third Round

Cash-strapped Luton deservedly earned a big pay-day replay at Anfield next week by holding Liverpool to a 1-1 draw. The League One outfit were the better team in the first-half but could not convert their pressure into goals. A defensive mix-up allowed Peter Crouch to fire the Reds ahead in the 74th minute. However, the Hatters' heads did not go down and, within three minutes, parity was restored when John Arne Riise bundled the ball into his own net.
It might have been a completely different, and less interesting story, if home keeper Dean Brill had not stopped Ryan Babel's first minute shot. Luton responded well and David Edwards forced a fine save from Charles Itandje. Drew Talbot also went close towards the end of the opening half after Dirk Kuyt wasted an even better chance for Liverpool.
Talbot wasted a wonderful chance early after the break when he headed a Darren Currie cross over the bar. And that miss looked even more costly when Crouch found the net. Yet, the home fans were soon in raptures when Riise helped it into his own goal as he tried to clear Talbot's cross. Riise was immediately given the chance to make amends up the other end, but drilled his shot narrowly wide.

Delighted Luton manager Kevin Blackwell said afterwards: “We have come away with a draw and it changes everything again for us because of the finances for the club. I am hopeful that it now makes us more attractive and people move in quicker."

Worried that he may have to sell his best players, Blackwell added: "I don't want to lose a side I am starting to build here. That is the frustration. Surely anybody looking at that must think Luton's got something going and want to be part of it. All we can do is the football but if we can make it as attractive a proposition as we can, it must help a buyer come in and, please God, we've done that today."

Rafa Benitez dismissed speculation about his future after the game. The draw with the First Division side is unlikely to ease the pressure on the 47-year-old Spaniard but he says he is happy at Liverpool.

He insisted afterwards: "I love the club and the fans and want to stay. I have two years left on my contract and if I could stay for two years more, I would be very happy."

When asked about whether the club's American owners wanted him to stay, he replied: "I think so. But every day do I need to ask them that question? We are working together trying to improve the squad now and for the future."
Forced again to defend his selection policy, having made eight changes and rested Fernando Torres and Jose Reina, a quizzical Rafa asked "What is my strongest team? Do you think our goalkeeper was troubled too much today? When you play Crouch, who is the centre-forward for England, Benayoun, Kuyt and Voronin, who are international players, you give the other team the message that you have a very strong side.”
Attendance: 10,226