Anfield replay boosts hard-up Luton

Liverpool looked to have won the tie when Peter Crouch made the most of two defensive blunders to put the Reds in front in the 72nd minute.

But the Coca-Cola League One side were level inside three minutes when Riise turned a cross from Drew Talbot past his own goalkeeper.

It was the best possible start to the tie with both sides playing attacking football. But the lack of finishing class was proving to be a real problem, particularly for Liverpool.

Luton's Talbot proved a particular menace and in the 20th minute he burst down the left flank, left Sami Hyypia for dead, and delivered a low cross which Charles Itandje had to clear in haste.

England striker Crouch twice wasted clear chances to put Liverpool in front in the 34th minute but the tall striker could not find the target on either occasion. But for all their early dominance, Liverpool struggled to provide either Crouch or Dirk Kuyt with a clear-cut opportunity to break the deadlock.

But Liverpool looked to have won the tie when they scored against the run of play. A catalogue of defensive errors finally led to Crouch breaking the deadlock in the 73rd minute.

Chris Coyne lost possession on the halfway line and there seemed no danger until Chris Perry's wayward header allowed substitute Andriy Voronin a clear run on goal.

But although Dean Brill saved Voronin's shot it ran free to Crouch to slot home.

But Luton deservedly earned a replay when Riise turned a cross from Talbot into his own net from six yards just three minutes later.