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The troubled Hatters may have received a cash boost from the televised third-round tie with the Barclays Premier League giants - which saw the Hatters earn a replay - but it is the events off the field which take on far greater importance now.

The Coca-Cola League One side went into administration in November and were deducted 10 points - a penalty which moved them to the bottom of the table. A decent run of form over Christmas has helped their plight, but they still sit in the relegation places, while the players and staff have not been fully paid since October.

Chairman Bill Tomlins had been funding the club's losses out of his own pocket, but that deal expired at the end of 2007 and the Hatters could find much of the side who started against the Reds leaving for pastures new in the coming month.

Speaking before the Liverpool tie, administrator Brendan Guilfoyle said: "I have seen one group of potential purchasers and invited them to fund the club for January. They have yet to answer and I am on the way to talk to another.

"But, after the Liverpool game, if there is no funding, then I will have to get busy in the transfer market. We're keen to ensure that we get proper values for those players we decide to sell but it's an imperative now.

"I have to have funding and the arrangement I had with the chairman has now expired so it's up to the preferred bidders now. If they want to buy the club then they will have to fund the running of the club immediately, otherwise we can't go forward.

"I can't take chances on the future of this club. I have to secure it and that is more important than the future of individual players. The club will be active in selling players in the transfer window but not to the extent that they become emaciated."

Speaking after the Liverpool game, Guilfoyle said on Sky Sports News: "A great match and a great result. What it now allows us to do is to generate additional income to enable us to pay the players' wages."

Guilfoyle revealed the replay at Anfield, if televised, would net the club a minimum of £250,000 and said he was confident the long-term future of the club would be secured this week.