Luton chief Blackwell admits Liverpool cash plea

The Hatters, who are in administration and are currently losing around £400,000 a month, will be forced to sell their best players should a potential buyer not agree to pump money into the club after Monday's 5pm deadline.

Tomorrow's game at Kenilworth Road is expected to generate around £250,000 from ticket sales but under FA Cup rules both sides will receive 45% with the remainder going into an FA pool.

Rafa Benitez's side are hardly short of money and Blackwell admitted that the club had looked into banking every possible penny.

When asked if the thought had crossed his mind to ask Liverpool to donate their share Blackwell said: "That has been asked by the administrator I believe.

"But they probably said: "We have to pay players £100,000 a week. You must be joking - Otherwise we will end up like you!

"You just have to accept it. There are people in life who have got a Rolls Royce while some people have a Mini.

"We are Mini drivers. We tried to live like a Rolls Royce but that's why we are where we are."

The two sides played out a 5-3 classic in Liverpool's favour at the same stage of the competition two seasons ago and Blackwell believes that the FA Cup still has a special place.

Reading striker Dave Kitson said that the cup did not matter earlier this week but Blackwell insists that the tie will be anything but a distraction.

He said: "I am surprised that Dave Kitson has said that because he is a non-league lad who has come from Baldock Town and really, I would have thought that every day that he is in football he should be happy.

"I don't know what he did for a living but it can't have been as glamorous as football, that's for sure. And if you can't wake up every day and want to be in the game - which I think everyone in the country, women and men, would love to be in - then you should get out of the game straight away.

"The minute I stopped playing and I got the opportunity to go into management I couldn't wait. To be part of this life is absolutely fabulous and the FA Cup is especially important.

"Yes, there are downs but fancy going back on the building site! This is a great life."

Blackwell believes that a win would be "the greatest upset of all time" but admitted that he may struggle to raise the funds for a celebration.

He said: "To be honest I think the money has already been spent. But the administrator might find £3.60 for six bottles of lemonade if we are lucky."