Plucky Luton Force Replay Against Liverpool

Liverpool were given a real game by League One side Luton at Kenilworth Road as Kevin Blackwell's side held the Reds to a 1-1 draw.

An entertaining game saw Liverpool eventually take the lead through Peter Crouch, only for a Riise own-goal to hand Luton a deserved share of the spoils.

First Half

Rafa Benitez picked a strong Liverpool side to face Luton. The notable inclusions were Charles Itandje in goal and a start for Lucas in midfield. Peter Crouch and Dirk Kuyt started upfront for the Reds.

Luton acquitted themselves well in the first half keeping the Premiership giants goalless. It was however the visitors who got off to the better start.

With just 25 seconds on the clock, Dutch winger Ryan Babel set off on a mazy run, which saw him beat three defenders before forcing Brill into a fine save at his near post.

The home side should then have taken the lead with Edwards missing a glorious early chance. Played through and with Steve Finnan playing him onside, Charles Itandje stood tall and saved well with his foot to save the Reds' blushes.

Four minutes later and Kuyt and Crouch combined well to provide the Dutch striker with a shot on goal from the edge of the area. However, Kuyt fired high and wide when he really should have hit the target.

With 20 minutes gone the Hatters began to come more into the game and started to cause the Liverpool back line some problems. Drew Talbot skinned Sami Hyypia at the byeline, but lacked options coming in as he crossed low, and Itandje cut out the ball.

The financially struggling side were giving a good account of themselves with the possession statistics looking rather favourable for Kevin Blackwell's side. Another fine move on the half-hour mark saw Finnan outnumbered on the right, only for Jamie Carragher to come across and clear the danger.



Liverpool then reminded Luton of the danger they posed with Peter Crouch forcing Brill into a fine save with a shot from the edge of the box.

But with the half time whistle approaching, it was the home side that finished the strongest. Drew Talbot, who was becoming the clear dangerman for Luton, fizzed in an inviting low ball from the right which flew across the face of the Liverpool goal with nobody coming in to apply the finishing touch.

Second Half

The second half began much like the first with Liverpool starting better, but the home side coming more and more into the game.

Four minutes after the restart and Kuyt fired a great ball across the Luton box, only for Benayoun and Crouch to be unable to make the all-important contact. John-Arne Riise then saw a blasted shot clip off a defender a look goal-bound. Luton keeper Dean Brill although going the wrong way, stuck out a hand to save superbly.

Luton were however not going to be bullied by the Premiership side and had a marvellous chance of their own on 54 minutes. Currie dinked in an inviting cross to Talbot, but the midfielder headed over when it seemed he had to score.

Liverpool were finding it increasingly difficult to impose their quality and were making very hard work of breaking down the Luton defence. Riise was unlucky not to see a red card when bringing down Talbot, with referee Webb believing him not to be the last man.

Then rather against the run of play, Liverpool took the lead on 74 minutes. A poor header by Chris Perry allowed substitue Voronin to charge through on goal. His shot was saved well by Brill, but Crouch was on hand to slide home the rebound.

The lead however only lasted three minutes as Luton deservedly got themselves back into the game. Man of the Match Talbot fired in a dangerous cross from the left towards striker Edwards. Riise, who was tracking the forward attempted to cut-out the ball, only to see it rebound off his arm and past Itandje into the Liverpool net.

The last ten minutes saw Luton the more adventurous side and the lack of quality in the Liverpool side must have surprised the 10,000 fans inside Kenilworth Road.

In the end Luton probably deserved more than a draw, but as far as their bank balance is concerned, a lucrative replay at Anfield is the ideal result.

Surely on this kind of display, a wealthy backer out there will be tempted into investing in this talented side.

Line-ups:

Luton: Brill, Keane, Coyne, Perry, Goodall, Bell, Currie, Edwards, Spring, Andrew, Talbot

Subs not used: Hutchison, Jackson, Robinson, O'Leary, Furlong

Liverpool: Itandje, Finnan, Riise, Carragher, Hyypia, Lucas, Alonso (Mascherano 74), Benayoun (El Zhar 86), Babel (Voronin 70), Crouch, Kuyt

Subs not used: Martin, Hobbs

Goals:

0-1 Crouch (74)

1-1 Riise o.g (77)

Cards:

Yellow: Alonso (45) Riise (68) Hyypia (83)

Attendance: 10,226

Referee: Howard Webb