Howard's rocket downs Rafa and leaves Barnsley on cloud nine

There were even demonstrations on the Kop and near the directors' box several minutes after the rest of the stadium had cleared, as hardcore Liverpool supporters demanded the removal of the American owners, George Gillett and Tom Hicks.

The giant-killing was no less than the Yorkshiremen deserved, and former cricket umpire Dickie Bird had predicted as much just seconds before this splendid occasion exploded into its dramatic finale. Asked for his opinion of Barnsley's unlikely equaliser from Stephen Foster midway through the second half, Bird had replied confidently: "Tremendous. We are going to win it." No one believed him, of course, until just seconds from the final whistle.

Howard had just been tripped in the penalty area by Sami Hyypia and, inexplicably, referee Martin Atkinson had failed to award the spot-kick which could have won the underdogs the game earlier. When he had finished protesting, however, Howard regained his composure.

He collected the ball on the edge of the Liverpool area and his left-footed finish flew like a rocket past Charles Itandje in the Liverpool goal, and in that instant every Barnsley player and supporter knew there would be no way back for one of the Cup favourites.

The irrepressible Bird, one of Barnsley's favourite sons and a supporter of the football team from childhood, stood in triumph in the directors' box and yelled: "I told you! I told you we would win it."

Steven Gerrard, who was left on the bench until the final 15 minutes, appeared to have seen the writing on the wall sometime earlier, even before the unfancied Championship side had found a way back into the match.

Sometimes it is the quality of the cross that takes the breath away rather than the finish, and so it was as Barnsley gave Liverpool's manager Rafa Benitez yet another headache.

Martin Devaney's delivery under pressure was so spectacular that it would almost have been a crime had Foster failed to take advantage in the 57th minute.

Fortunately for football lovers and Cup romantics, the Yorkshire team's determined defender accepted the invitation with relish and headed straight past Itandje.

Gerrard, rested for most of the match in preparation for Tuesday's Champions League match against Inter Milan, looked on in horror from the touchline.

Time and again he halted his warm-up routine to view events on the field with increasing anxiety.

Fernando Torres, who might just have been able to play had Benitez seen the Cup nightmare looming, had watched the first half from the stands and was spared what later unfolded in order to prevent further stiffening in the cold.

But it will take a monumental feat of man-management from Benitez to change the mood over the next 48 hours and convince this Liverpool team that they really can topple the finest team in Italy.

They will not just need their superstars from the start. A stable defence and far more ruthlessness up front will be required after Peter Crouch proved to be the most wasteful player on show yesterday.

Dirk Kuyt's first goal since mid- December appeared to have given Benitez some breathing space in a troubled season and, perhaps, even the temporary comfort of a place in the FA Cup quarter-finals.

Ryan Babel managed to reach the goal line in the 32nd minute and lay back an ideal pass for Dutchman Kuyt, who could hardly miss.

Somewhat foolishly, Benitez had predicted in the match programme that such a success would probably prove decisive.

"As always," he had written, "scoring the first goal could be the key to the course of the game.

"If you concede first against a top team on their own pitch, the mountain suddenly becomes much higher to climb."

But, with typical Yorkshire grit, Barnsley climbed that mountain, with goalkeeper Luke Steele, on loan from West Bromwich Albion, playing like a colossus.

Right back Bobby Hassell was struck where it hurts most yet refused to fall until he had blocked yet another Liverpool effort. When he finally rose to his feet, he spearheaded the rearguard bravery which saw off wave after wave of red attackers as Liverpool chased the game.

The climax to the afternoon was, therefore, all the more enjoyable for neutrals.

But Benitez is clearly a decent man and you have to feel sorry for the chaotic turn his season has taken at a most crucial time.